On Wednesday (25 December), Amit Shah, the Union Cooperation Minister, launched 10,000 new multi-purpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS). He stated that the government is on a mission to establish 2 lakh of these societies within the coming five years.

Shah highlighted that, to date, 11,695 new primary cooperative societies have been registered under the new model bylaws, marking a significant milestone.

Shah also released standard operating procedures (SOP) for the liquidation of defunct PACS, which will enable the setting up of new societies in 15,000 villages. Under current norms, a second PACS cannot be established in villages where one already exists unless declared defunct.

Amit Shah said these PACS will actively market organic products, dairy production, and seeds, including exports.