PACS DIGITAL AUTOMATION FRAMEWORK

The Government has approved the Centrally Sponsored Project for Computerisation of functional Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) for bringing all functional PACS on a common ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)-based National Software to improve operational efficiency, transparency and service delivery. The Project, initially approved for 63,000 PACS, has subsequently been expanded to cover 79,630 PACS with a total financial outlay of₹2,925.39 crore. The Project has been implemented in a phased manner across the States/UTs. The State/UT-wise number of PACS onboarded on the ERP-based National Software is given at Annexure-‘A’.

The Government on 31.05.2023 approved the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector. The Plan entails creation of various agri infrastructure at Primary Agriculture Credit Society (PACS) level, including warehouses, custom hiring center, processing units, Fair Price Shops, etc. through convergence of various existing schemes of the Government of India (GoI), such as, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI), Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM),  Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME), etc. Under the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector, 1,015 PACS across the country have been identified for construction of godowns and construction work has been completed in 313 PACS creating a total capacity of 1.80 LMT.

NCEL was set up as an umbrella organization for the export of goods and services produced by cooperative societies most of whose members are small and marginal farmers. Since its inception, the NCEL has exported over 14,89,102 MT of 50 agricultural products, valued at INR 5866.10 crores to 38 countries.

To ensure financial transparency across rural credit lines, the ERP-based Common National Software under PACS Computerisation Project provides standardized modules for accounting, statutory audit and Management Information System (MIS) for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). The software enables maintenance of digital records, generation of audit trails and standardized financial reporting, thereby enhancing transparency, accountability and efficiency in the functioning of PACS. The ERP system also facilitates statutory audit of PACS by providing digital records and audit-related information required for the audit process.

Annexure-‘A’

*Odisha has recently joined the project.

This information was given by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.