-Chandigarh, August 13, 2025: A Zonal Workshop on initiatives for Cooperative sector was organized on 13th August 2025 in NABARD Regional Office, Chandigarh under the aegis of Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India and NABARD. The workshop aimed to promote effective and timely implementation of key initiatives of the Ministry of Cooperation, GoI; viz. formation of new multipurpose PACS/ Dairy/ Fisheries Cooperative Societies, World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector and Computerization of PACS and ARDB. The event brought together stakeholders from four participating States — Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab & UTs of Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh— to strategize and strengthen the cooperative ecosystem through greater coordination and experience sharing.
The participants in the workshop were guided on the roles and goals by Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, IAS, Secretary, MoC, GoI and Shri Shaji K.V., Chairman NABARD. The workshop was also graced by several dignitaries, including Registrars of Cooperative Societies, CGMs of NABARD, Head offices and participating states, MDs of State Cooperative Banks, Zonal Heads of FCI, and State Food and Civil Supplies Officers from all five States. Additionally, MDs of DCCBs, District Development Managers (DDMs) of NABARD, PACS and other key stakeholders attended the workshop virtually.
Shri Shaji K.V., Chairman, NABARD, in his address lauded the efforts of the participating States in constructing warehouses at PACS level, digitizing their operations, and diversifying PACS businesses. He emphasized that cooperatives are the engines of growth and should have top class digital infrastructure to make PACS financially viable and digitally empowered. He assured continued support from NABARD for expediting the implementation of cooperative initiatives through technical, financial and capacity building interventions in alignment with the recommendations of National Cooperative Policy.
Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, IAS, Secretary, MoC, GoI, in his address virtually called for the preparation of a detailed, stakeholder-inclusive action plan for initiatives such as the MPACS, WLGSP, and ePACS. He further urged to increase PACS membership, with a focus on inclusion of women, landless workers, sharecroppers, and labourers.
