Jammu, Nov 12 (KNC): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the performance of the Cooperative Department, stressing the need to diversify PACS activities, strengthen cooperative banks, and accelerate digital reforms across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Principal Secretary Finance, Commissioner Secretary Cooperatives, Regional Director RBI, Managing Director J&K Bank, Director General Budget, Registrar Cooperative Societies, NABARD representatives and other senior officers.
At the outset, the Chief Secretary highlighted the critical role of cooperative institutions in rural development and directed the department to transform Cooperative Societies into Common Service Centres (CSCs) to widen their service base. He said the societies must adopt strong business models and diversify into agriculture-related services such as seeds, seedlings, cattle feed, poultry feed, and fisheries supplies.
He further instructed officials to explore collaboration with the Ayush Department for vending wellness products and to secure vending machines for high-footfall areas. He emphasised improving credit linkage for cooperatives while ensuring sustainable financial operations.
Reviewing the performance of cooperative banks and Super Bazars, the Chief Secretary asked J&K Bank to offer advisory assistance, particularly in tackling NPAs and other financial matters, to help Cooperative Banks manage their affairs professionally and legally.
He also directed the constitution of a panel of retired bankers of high integrity, in consultation with RBI, to assist in appointing Managing Directors and management bodies for Cooperative Banks to ensure transparency and performance-driven governance.
Commissioner Secretary Cooperatives, Babila Rakwal, briefed the meeting on ongoing reforms, stating that all 537 PACS have adopted common byelaws and transitioned to the M-PACS model, enabling them to diversify into sectors like dairy, fisheries and horticulture. She informed that computerisation is progressing swiftly, with all 537 PACS completing the Dynamic Day-End process, making them fully functional e-PACS.
She added that 515 PACS are now operating as CSCs with a monthly transaction value of Rs 3.10 lakh, while 154 have been upgraded as PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Kendras. Under White Revolution 2.0, the cooperative sector has seen the formation of 2,232 Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCSs), with 1,692 strengthened, benefitting over 1.06 lakh women and achieving a milk procurement of 3 LLPD.
M-PACS are also running medical stores as Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMJAKs), contributing to affordable healthcare. So far, 52 drug licences have been issued and 50 stores are functional with a monthly turnover of Rs 8.78 lakh.
Officials informed that the J&K State Cooperative Bank has implemented several modern banking practices including migration to Finacle 10 and automation of loan schemes. Meanwhile, the Super Bazar chain has cleared Rs 4 crore GST dues from 2020–21 and settled Rs 28 lakh in gratuity and CPF dues of former employees. Sixteen PACS have been enrolled as new Super Bazar outlets, focusing on capacity building and expansion into urban markets.
The Chief Secretary called for sustained focus on professionalisation, digital empowerment and grassroots financial inclusion to strengthen the cooperative movement across Jammu and Kashmir. (KNC)
