VN Vasavan | Photo: Sivaprasad G
Thiruvananthapuram: The union government’s decision to install centralised software across the country for primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACS) is a violation of federalism, alleged Kerala cooperative minister VN Vasavan.
The decision was taken without consulting the state governments. The union government is trying to impose their unilateral decision. This is a violation of constitutional values and federal principles, he said.
Kerala is in the final stage of implementing the state's own software in primary societies. Our cooperatives provide excellent services and are a model for the country. The union government’s move is targeted at destroying our exemplary environment and imposing their agenda, the CPM leader alleged.
The union cooperative ministry has already prepared model bylaws for PACS. It has been circulated to all the States in January for their adoption by PACS after making suitable changes as per respective State Cooperative Acts.
A national cooperative database is being prepared by the Cooperation ministry where country-wide mapping of cooperatives at Panchayat and village level is being carried out. A database of PACS has been developed in January 2023 and a database of primary dairy/ fishery cooperative societies would be developed by end of February.
The union cabinet on Wednesday had approved setting up of 2 lakh new Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) and dairy-fishery cooperatives in uncovered villages and panchayats over the next five years.