PACS may be allowed by Centre to sell petroleum products, run PDS shops
The Centre has proposed to allow primary agriculture credit societies (PACS) to undertake activities like dealership of petroleum products, running PDS shops, and developing hospital and educational institutions, in addition to their regular functions.
In this regard, the Ministry of Cooperation has floated a draft ‘Model By-laws of PACS’ on which it has invited suggestions from the state governments and other stakeholders by July 19.
The existing framework does not allow PACS to diversify in other areas apart from their core business.
The draft model by-laws propose that PACS should be allowed to work as Bank Mitras and common service centres (CSCs), provide cold storage and godown facilities, set up PDS shops besides enabling them to work in dairy, fishery, irrigation and green energy sectors.
