PACS to be computerised by March end in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Feb 12:

In a bid to address the delay in payment for paddy procurement, Odisha government is targeting to make all the Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) computerised by end of March this year.

Even though, PACS plays a major role in paddy procurement from farmers, around 841 PACS have not been computerised so far, promoting difficulties for farmers to get their payment in time.

A proposal of Rs 12 crore-financial assistance has been made under Rastriya Krushi Bikash Yojana towards computerisation of PACS. The Odisha government has directed to execute the proposal by March end.

Notably, total 2708 PACS in Odisha have been engaged for paddy procurement, supplying seeds, fertilizers and agricultural equipment to farmers.

The PACS are procuring paddy from State Paddy Corporation, Odisha State Cooperative Marketing Federation (Markfed) and Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation (TDCC). The programme is in progress through Procurement Automation System (P-PAS) in 294 blocks in the State. The farmers get their payment through DBT system. As most of the PACS have not been computerised, delay occurs in transferring the amount at their bank accounts.

On the other hand, the government is planning to introduce Rupay KCC as the substitute to Kisan Credit Card (KCC) passbook system to ease the procurement and payment process for the farmers.

In view of the non-banked panchayats, the government is planning to appoint the PACS as the Business Correspondents there. The decision is likely to be taken soon.