The Odisha state government has taken steps to establish primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACS) in 2,542 gram panchayats that lack short-term cooperative credit structures, says media reports.
BJP spokesperson Samir Ranjan Dash emphasized the need to strengthen cooperatives at the grassroots level, noting that of the 6,794 gram panchayats, only 2,709 have PACS, and 1,542 newly announced PACS remain non-functional.
Dash highlighted issues of corruption in PACS, managed by non-cadre secretaries, and the incomplete computerization despite central aid.