Bhubaneswar: The Union Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, Shri Ashish Kumar Bhutani, recently visited Odisha to review the state’s progress in the cooperative sector and participate in the 4th State Cooperative Development Committee meeting chaired by Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg. The meeting focused on the comprehensive development of cooperatives to strengthen the rural economy in alignment with the national vision of prosperity through cooperatives.+1
A major highlight of the discussions was the implementation of the world’s largest grain storage plan, which involves constructing warehouses at the level of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). To support this and other infrastructure needs, the state is facilitating the provision of at least one acre of government land to PACS and Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS).+2
The committee reviewed the significant progress made in the computerization of PACS and the Office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies. Efforts are underway to transform these societies into multi-purpose service centers that can provide a range of facilities, including Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras and Common Service Centers. Furthermore, the state has initiated steps to strengthen cooperative banking and revive defunct cooperative sugar mills in the Cuttack and Balangir districts.+2
In terms of agricultural support, the meeting detailed that cooperative societies will now handle 60 percent of the state’s fertilizer distribution. There is also a push to establish NAFED markets and OMFED or Amul parlors through PACS to assist dairy farmers with milk collection. Chief Secretary Anu Garg emphasized the need for increased female participation in the cooperative sector to ensure inclusive growth.+2
During the visit, the Union Secretary also inaugurated a digital and IT skill training program for PACS and LAMPS employees, organized in collaboration with the Odisha Knowledge Corporation Limited. He expressed satisfaction with Odisha’s proactive implementation of various central schemes and urged District Collectors to expedite land transfers for storage projects and conduct regular district-level cooperative development meetings