Amit Shah unveils 10,000 multipurpose primary agriculture, dairy cooperative societies
Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah on Wednesday inaugurated 10,000 newly established multipurpose primary agricultural and dairy cooperative societies or PACS, in a bid to ease farmers’ access to markets, part of the government’s plan to create 200,000 such rural enterprises.
These PACS will actively engage in the business of marketing organic products, dairy production and seeds, including exports, Shah said at an event organised at the Pusa complex in the national capital.
The launch of the multipurpose PACS coincided with the birth centenary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “It was during Atalji’s tenure that the 97th Constitutional Amendment was enacted, highlighting his commitment to revitalizing the long-overlooked cooperative sector,” Shah said.
The 97th amendment gave constitutional status and protection to cooperative societies. Cooperatives are collectives and businesses jointly owned by members who share profits and losses. India’s biggest dairy brand Amul runs on a cooperative model.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after establishing the ministry of cooperation, introduced the motto of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (prosperity through cooperatives). Achieving this vision requires the presence of cooperatives in every panchayat, actively contributing in some capacity,” Shah said.