**Executive Summary**
The 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' National Review Conference, held in Varanasi on April 9–10, 2026, focused on transitioning cooperative reforms from deliberation to district-level execution. The Ministry of Cooperation emphasized time-bound implementation of flagship initiatives, including the computerization of 2 lakh Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and the expansion of the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan. Key priorities include ensuring the sustainability of digital reforms beyond March 2027 and expediting loan sanctions within the current financial cycle.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Implementation and Strategy**
* Transitioning from "Targets to Outcomes" by grounding cooperative initiatives at the district level with clear, time-bound action plans.
* Addressing performance gaps and strengthening coordination between the Centre and States to ensure tangible results.
* Achieving the national target of establishing two lakh PACS to ensure desired scale and reach.
**PACS and ARDBs Modernization**
* Sustaining the momentum of PACS computerization, with a focus on internalizing benefits beyond the scheme’s expiration in March 2027.
* Integrating PACS and Land Development Banks (ARDBs) with national platforms such as Agri Stack, KCC, and fertilizer systems.
* Diversifying PACS into multi-service centres to provide seed distribution, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, digital services, and e-wallet facilities.
**Cooperative Banking Reforms**
* Expediting loan sanctioning and ensuring the effective utilization of funds within the current financial cycle.
* Strengthening cooperative banking infrastructure through improved credit flow in District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs).
* Enhancing technology adoption, including cyber security measures, Aadhaar seeding, and doorstep banking.
**Storage and Infrastructure**
* Implementing the "World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan" through agencies like FCI, NABARD, and NAFED.
* Focusing on site selection, storage capacity planning, and the adoption of eNWR-based (Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt) systems.
* Enhancing cooperative participation in the storage ecosystem to bolster the rural economy.
**Impact Analysis**
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
States are responsible for the execution of reforms and bridging performance gaps in banking and storage projects. They are cautioned to ensure that the progress made in computerization remains sustainable after the central scheme ends in 2027.
**Action Required**
Develop district-level implementation plans, expedite loan sanctions, and internalize computerization reforms to ensure long-term value.
**Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)**
**Impact**
PACS are being transformed from simple credit entities into grassroots multi-service delivery institutions and digital hubs.
**Action Required**
Participate in membership drives, adopt digital and e-wallet services, and diversify operations into retail services like Jan Aushadhi Kendras and fertilizer supply.
**Cooperative Banks (DCCBs and ARDBs)**
**Impact**
These institutions face increased requirements for technological integration and financial alignment with grassroots service delivery.
**Action Required**
Strengthen credit flow, implement robust cyber security protocols, complete Aadhaar seeding, and adopt technology for doorstep banking.
**Implementing Agencies (FCI, NABARD, etc.)**
**Impact**
These agencies are critical to the success of the national grain storage initiative and require coordinated site and capacity planning.
**Action Required**
Execute storage plans according to established timelines and enhance strategies for cooperative participation in the storage ecosystem.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Cooperation: The primary central ministry leading the cooperative sector reforms, organizing the National Review Conference to ground initiatives at the district level.
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS): Grassroots cooperative entities targeted for expansion to two lakh units, computerization, and diversification into multi-service centers like Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Sahkar se Samriddhi: The national vision ('Prosperity through Cooperation') guiding the transformative agenda for inclusive growth and rural development via the cooperative sector.
World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector: A flagship initiative involving agencies like NABARD and FCI aimed at creating decentralized storage capacity through cooperative societies.
Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani: Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation who chaired the conference, calling for time-bound implementation of PACS computerization and banking reforms.
Ministry of Cooperation
‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ Vision Guides National
Review Conference in Varanasi; Focus on
Grounding Cooperative Reforms at District Level
Building on the strong momentum generated by the
outstanding performance of Amul and Saraswat Cooperative
Bank, Secretary Cooperation calls for next phase of reforms
for revival and resurgence of the cooperative sector
Dr. Bhutani calls for time-bound implementation of key
initiatives; reviews PACS, storage and banking reforms
“From Targets to Outcomes: “District-Level Action Plans Key
to Cooperative Transformation, Says Centre at National
Conference”
“Centre Reviews PACS, Banking and Storage Initiatives; Calls
for Outcome-Oriented Implementation”
“States Asked to Bridge Gaps in PACS, Banking and Storage
Projects at National Cooperative Meet”
Centre Calls for Renewed Push for PACS Expansion at
National Conference”
Posted On: 09 APR 2026 6:18PM by PIB Delhi
Guided by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of “Sahkar se Samriddhi” (Prosperity
through Cooperation) and under the leadership of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah,
the Ministry of Cooperation is steadily advancing a transformative agenda to strengthen the cooperative
sector as a key pillar of inclusive growth and rural development.
In this direction, a two-day ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ National Review Conference is being held in Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh on 9–10 April 2026, bringing together senior officials from the Centre, States/UTs and
major cooperative institutions to review progress and accelerate implementation of flagship initiatives.Addressing the inaugural session, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India Dr. Ashish
Kumar Bhutani, stated that this is the seventh in a series of national workshops held across the country
since October 2024, reflecting sustained efforts to build coordination, familiarity and shared learning
among stakeholders. He noted that these engagements have created a strong platform for collaboration,
and it is now time to move decisively towards execution.
Dr. Bhutani said that we have deliberated extensively over the past workshops. The time has now come to
ground these initiatives at the district level with clear, time-bound implementation plans. He emphasised
that while significant progress has been made across initiatives, there is a need to reassess performance
gaps, strengthen coordination with States and ensure that targets translate into tangible outcomes on the
ground.
Referring to the target of two lakh PACS, Dr. Bhutani said that we have to sustain the same momentum
with which the initiative was started. He called for renewed efforts and convergence among stakeholders
to accelerate progress and achieve the desired scale.
On PACS Computerisation, Secretary, Union Ministry of Cooperation acknowledged that considerable
movement has taken place in the last 6–9 months, and appreciated the efforts of States. However, he
cautioned that the key challenge lies in ensuring that this progress becomes sustainable beyond the scheme
period ending in March 2027, and urged States to internalise the benefits and continue the reforms. He
further said that the momentum we have achieved must be converted into a sustainable system. States
must recognise the long-term value of computerisation and carry it forward beyond the scheme.
Highlighting the importance of cooperative banking reforms, Dr. Bhutani called upon States to expedite
loan sanctioning and ensure effective utilisation of funds within the current financial cycle. He further
emphasised that strengthening cooperative institutions requires coordinated action, timely decision-
making and sustained commitment, particularly in areas where progress has been slower than expected.
During the first day sessions, the conference deliberated extensively on key flagship initiatives of the
Ministry. Following the inaugural session, the first review session focused on computerisation of PACS
and ARDBs, covering aspects such as quality monitoring, progress tracking, integration with national
platforms like Agri Stack, KCC and fertilizer systems, and strengthening linkages with cooperative
banking infrastructure.
The subsequent session reviewed the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector, with
detailed presentations by major implementing agencies including FCI, WDRA, CWC, NABARD, NAFED
and NCCF. Discussions covered site selection, storage capacity planning, financing, eNWR-based systems
and timelines for implementation, along with strategies to enhance cooperative participation in the storage
ecosystem.
The conference also deliberated on revival of defunct PACS, membership drives and diversification of
PACS into multi-service centres, including activities such as seed distribution, fertilizer supply, Common
Service Centres, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, digital services and e-wallet facilities.
Further discussions focused on strengthening cooperative banking systems, including issues related to
credit flow through DCCBs, cyber security, Aadhaar seeding, doorstep banking and technology adoption.
The need to align financial systems with the growing role of PACS as grassroots service delivery
institutions was also emphasised.
The deliberations during the conference reflect the Ministry’s continued commitment to strengthening the
cooperative ecosystem through structured planning, technology integration and grassroots implementation,
in line with the vision of building a self-reliant and inclusive economy driven by cooperation.
****AK/AP
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