Odisha Cooperative Societies Strengthening: PACS Computerization & NCDC Funding
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Ministry of Cooperation provided details on the status of cooperative societies in Odisha and various central initiatives to strengthen them. This includes the expansion of the PACS computerization project and cumulative NCDC funding of over ₹3,352 crore to Odisha.
Background
The Ministry of Cooperation was established on 6 July 2021 with the vision of 'Sahakar se Samriddhi'. The PACS computerization project was launched in 2022 to bring all functional PACS onto a common ERP-based national software, linking them with StCBs, DCCBs, and NABARD.
Key facts
As of 15 July 2026, Odisha has 8,667 cooperative societies, of which 8,063 are functional.
The PACS computerization project was initially approved for 63,000 PACS with ₹2,516 crore outlay, now expanded to 79,630 PACS with ₹2,925.39 crore.
Odisha joined the PACS computerization project in 2025; 4,240 PACS have been approved in the state.
Odisha has received ₹25.07 crore financial assistance under the project (₹18.07 crore in FY2025-26 and ₹7.00 crore in FY2026-27).
Cumulative NCDC disbursement to Odisha's cooperative sector as of 30 June 2026 is ₹3,352.03 crore.
Key initiatives include strengthening PACS, urban/rural cooperative banks, tax relief under Income Tax Act, revival of cooperative sugar mills, and establishment of three new multi-state cooperatives.
The Ministry is converting PACS, dairy, and fishery cooperatives into multipurpose cooperatives for business diversification.
National Cooperative Database (NCD) is used to identify geographical gaps and develop a cooperative ranking framework.
A Cooperative Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development Fund has been set up under Section 63A of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023.
NCDC disbursed ₹7.03 crore in 2025-26 and ₹1.53 crore in 2026-27 (till 30 June) to Odisha.
Prelims pointers
- PACS: Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
- StCBs: State Cooperative Banks
- DCCBs: District Central Cooperative Banks
- NABARD: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
- NCDC: National Cooperative Development Corporation
- NCD: National Cooperative Database
- ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning
- Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023
- Ministry of Cooperation established: 6 July 2021
- Sahakar se Samriddhi
Mains angles
- GS2: Role of cooperatives in rural development and financial inclusion
- GS3: Government schemes for cooperative sector strengthening and e-governance
- GS2: Federal relations – Centre-state cooperation in implementing cooperative reforms
- GS3: Agricultural credit and PACS computerization impact on farmers
- GS2: Policy analysis – National Cooperation Policy and new multi-state cooperatives