Srinagar, Dec 16 (KNO): The Centre on Tuesday said that 129 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) are currently functional in the Union Territory of Ladakh, with 10 of them approved for computerisation under Phase I of the national PACS Computerisation Project.
Replying to a written question in the Lok Sabha, the Union Ministry of Cooperation, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) stated that Ladakh has 169 PACS that cater to the rural population, and every panchayat in the UT has a functional society despite the region’s sparse population and difficult terrain.
It said that five PACS each from Leh and Kargil were approved for computerisation, and an additional 23 PACS have been proposed for inclusion under Phase II of the computerisation project.
Ladakh has also adopted Model Bye-Laws for PACS, which enable them to undertake over 25 diversified business activities and improve transparency and governance, the reply said, adding that three multipurpose PACS, three dairy cooperatives and one fishery cooperative have already been formed in the UT, under National Cooperative Expansion Initiatives.
Pertinently, to strengthen the cooperative sector, steps like capacity-building programmes, IT support, ERP training and integration of PACS with services like Common Service Centres and Jan Aushadhi Kendras are also being implemented by the government to strengthen the cooperative sector in Ladakh—(KNO)