Uniform Software for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
Uniform Software for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
Government of India is implementing this Project of Computerization of functional PACS with a total financial outlay of ₹2,516 Crore which has now been increased upto 2925.39 Crore which entails bringing all the functional PACS onto an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) based common national software, linking them with NABARD through State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs). This common ERP software is provided to all the PACS in the project, across the country, to capture data on all functionalities of PACS, both credit and non-credit. This software is customizable for state-specific needs. Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) has adopted a multi-layered approach to ensure effective implementation at the grassroots level. Regular monthly review meetings are conducted with States/UTs to assess progress, particularly in the PACS computerization Project. Key stakeholders like States/UTs, including NABARD have been engaged to review the implementation of this project. Additionally, a structured monitoring framework has been established, comprising the National Level Monitoring and Implementation Committee (NLMIC), State and District Level Implementation and Monitoring Committees (SLIMC and DLIMC), State Cooperative Development Committee (SCDC) (under the Chief Secretary), and District Cooperative Development Committee (DCDC) (under the District Collector). These bodies ensure effective implementation, oversight, and coordination of all cooperative sector initiatives, including PACS computerization.
The ERP-based common national software enhances the efficiency of PACS operations through a Common Accounting System (CAS) and Management Information System (MIS). Additionally, it strengthens governance and transparency, resulting in faster loan disbursal, reduced transaction costs, minimized payment imbalances, and seamless accounting with DCCBs and StCBs. Furthermore, training and necessary handholding support provided by NABARD ensures that small and marginal farmers, including those who may not be digitally literate, benefit equally from digitalization. A comprehensive ERP solution integrates multiple functionalities, including membership management, financial services such as deposits and lending (short-term, medium-term, and long-term), procurement, processing units, Public Distribution System (PDS), business planning, warehousing, merchandising, borrowings, asset management, and human resource management. Additionally, it has provision to incorporate RuPay and Kisan Credit Card (KCC)/ database integrations to facilitate seamless financial transactions for PACS members. The details of training imparted in the project are at Annexure ‘A’.
PACS are developed as hubs for delivering benefits from schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK), Common Service Centres (CSCs), Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK), interest subvention, fertiliser and seed distribution, Public Distribution System(PDS) outlets, LPG/Petrol/Diesel dealerships, Custom Hiring, etc.. The Government has initiated steps to integrate the PACS ERP system with other national platforms to streamline agricultural credit and service delivery. These include integration with Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK), Common Service Centres (CSCs), Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK), Kisan Rin Portal etc.
Annexure ‘A’
PACS Training and Handholding Details
S. No
State
Sum of Total Sanction
PACS
Training to PACS
Handholding to PACS
1
Andaman and Nicobar
46
46
46
2
Andhra Pradesh
2037
592
1469
3
Arunachal Pradesh
14
11
11
4
Assam
583
539
572
5
Bihar
4495
1698
1336
6
Chhattisgarh
2028
2028
2025
7
Daman and Diu
4
0
4
8
Goa
58
41
14
9
Gujarat
5754
5618
1440
10
Haryana
710
600
585
11
Himachal Pradesh
1789
831
617
12
Jammu and Kashmir
537
533
465
13
Jharkhand
2797
1368
168
14
Karnataka
5682
3702
24
15
Ladakh
10
7
0
16
Madhya Pradesh
5188
3900
4488
17
Maharashtra
12000
6858
8520
18
Manipur
232
169
0
19
Meghalaya
112
99
46
20
Mizoram
49
25
23
21
Nagaland
231
30
9
22
Odisha
2711
0
0
23
Pondicherry
45
43
33
24
Punjab
3482
948
861
25
Rajasthan
7468
5583
1847
26
Sikkim
107
104
29
27
Tamil Nadu
4532
4531
3001
28
Tripura
268
207
159
29
Uttar Pradesh
5686
1098
0
30
Uttarakhand
670
0
0
31
West Bengal
4167
3113
44
Grand Total
73492
44322
27836
* Odisha has recently joined the Project
This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.