CIOInsider India Magazine

In alignment with the Sahkaar Se Samriddhi vision, the government is launching a computerization project aiming at digital inclusive development for agriculture, rural development banks, and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies. Through the digital transformation of the whole cooperative ecosystem, the project promises rural development and sustainable development by modernizing and improving the efficiency of the cooperative sector.

Amit Shah, the Union Minister of Cooperation, is going to introduce a computerization initiative for banks that support rural and agricultural development as well as the Registrar of Cooperative Societies on Tuesday.

The Aim of the Project

Computerizing and Connecting Banks
By adopting standardized national software, 1,851 ARDB units throughout 13 states and UTs will be computerized and connected to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard).

Using a Common Accounting System (CAS) and Management Information System (MIS), the program will standardize business practices and improve operational efficiency, accountability, and transparency within ARDB.

In addition, the program seeks to lower transaction costs, make it easier for farmers to receive loans, and provide real-time data access for improved scheme monitoring and evaluation.

The change would help small and marginal farmers who use Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACSs) to connect with ARDBs for credit and related services.

Computerizing RCS Across States and Union Territories
The computerization of RCS offices across all states and Union Territories is the goal of the second major effort.

It will encourage RCS offices to operate without paper records and to implement an IT-focused workflow that complies with State and Union Territory cooperative acts and regulations.

Improved productivity, responsibility, and openness in RCS offices will also result from computerization, which will also set up MIS and analytics and provide connectivity with the national database.

Computerizing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
The Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACSs) are being computerized and connected to Nabard through Common National Software as one of the Ministry of Cooperation's major projects.

By integrating the PACSs as Common Service Centers (CSCs), digital services can also be initiated by the PACSs.

Roughly 30,000 PACSs have already begun offering services after being onboarded as CSCs, out of the roughly 50,000 PACSs to date.

With information from over 8 lakh cooperative societies, the ministry has created a new National Cooperative Database that will soon be made accessible to all parties involved.

Senior officials from all states and Union territories, secretaries of cooperative departments and Registrars of Cooperative Societies, presidents of all state cooperative agriculture and rural development banks (SCARDBs), representatives of primary cooperative agriculture and rural development banks (PCARDBs), and ARDB units are said to be among the more than 1,200 attendees scheduled for Tuesday's event.

Recap of Cooperative Initiatives of Jammu and Kashmir
Last month, the Lieutenant Governor's recent declaration of the 70th All India Cooperative Week was a momentous occasion, denoting a concrete resolve to revitalize cooperative ideals in this region of India. The unwavering support and direction offered by the Prime Minister and Honorable Minister of Home and Cooperation is crucial to this revival. Their vision, which aims to build a socioeconomic fabric that elevates every resident of Jammu and Kashmir, has cleared the way to revive cooperative ideals.

This resurgence is a real force advancing the social and economic advancement of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, not just an abstract concept. During the event, a number of new projects that have the potential to drastically alter J&K's cooperative development environment were introduced. Notably, local cooperatives were empowered and decentralized by onboarding 537 Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) as Common Service Centers. In addition, 25 PACS were formed as Jan-Aushadhi Kendras, which promote cooperative spirit and accessibility to inexpensive healthcare, while 169 PACS were recognized as PM Kisan Samridhi Kendras, in line with the national goal of doubling farmers' income.

Sarhad Tourism Cooperative Ltd in Uri
An important step toward utilizing cooperative principles for the growth of tourism circuits and homestays is the creation of Sarhad Tourism Cooperative Ltd. in Uri. This program guarantees that young people are actively involved in and included in J&K's cooperative movement in addition to promoting tourism.

Unnati Behan program
During the ceremony, the Unnati Behan program was presented, demonstrating a dedication to progress that is inclusive of all genders. This project aims to empower women through product development and sales training within a cooperative framework. It addresses gender equality in the cooperative movement in addition to economic development, in line with larger national goals.

Cooperatives can help India achieve its economic objectives by giving farmers access to finance, technology, and marketing assistance. They can also provide cheap housing, healthcare, and transportation, as well as support to small manufacturing enterprises.

In India, cooperatives aim to become competitive, transparent, and self-sufficient in the future. Cooperatives will implement contemporary procedures, responsible leadership, and sustainable finances. They will help India's economy flourish by effectively competing with commercial businesses. Jobs in a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, financial services, and agriculture, can be produced by cooperatives. Cooperatives that have created successful jobs include Amul and IFFCO.