New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, is set to lead the ‘National PACS Mega Conclave’ on January 8, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Organized by the Ministry of Cooperation in collaboration with the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), the event focuses on transforming Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) into Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Transforming PACS into Jan Aushadhi Kendras:
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and with Shri Amit Shah’s guidance, PACS was recently authorized to operate Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras. In just a few months, over 4400 PACS/Cooperative Societies from 34 States/UTs have submitted applications for this initiative. More than 2300 cooperative societies have received initial approval, and 149 are ready to function as Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Participation and Live Streaming:
The Mega Conclave will witness the participation of Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries of Cooperation Department, Registrars of Cooperative Societies from all States/Union Territories, and representatives of PACS with drug licenses for operating Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The event will be live-streamed on major social media platforms, including YouTube.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs):
PMBJKs play a vital role in providing quality generic medicines at prices 50-90% lower than branded alternatives in the market. Over 2000 types of generic medicines and approximately 300 surgical items are available, making healthcare more accessible to the general public.
This initiative offers new opportunities for PACS, leading to the diversification and expansion of their economic activities. It aims to increase the incomes of millions of small and marginal farmers associated with them, fostering rural development and creating employment opportunities.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs):
PACS, the foundation of the cooperative movement, serves millions of farmers in rural areas. The Ministry of Cooperation is actively working towards realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahakaar-se-Samriddhi”. Initiatives like computerization, model bylaws, a new National Cooperative Database, and Policy aim to strengthen PACS and bring prosperity to farmers’ lives. Additionally, the creation of Multi-State Cooperative Societies for seeds, organic products, and exports, as well as the implementation of the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector, contribute to the overall development of the cooperative sector.
These initiatives, aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s vision, are expected to play a pivotal role in the prosperity of farmers and contribute to the robust growth of the cooperative movement in the country.
