Ministry of Cooperation 9th National Review Workshop ends in Bastar
Why in the news
The 9th National Review Workshop of the Ministry of Cooperation concluded in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, on October 9, 2026. The two-day meet reviewed PACS expansion, cooperative banking and grain storage.
Key facts
- Theme: ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi – The Road Ahead: Scaling Impact through Cooperative Transformation’.
- New PACS: States aim to set up about 95,000 new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies in two to three years.
- Core Banking Solution: NABARD presented a uniform CBS platform to replace fragmented systems in some cooperative banks; tendering is nearly complete.
- Grain storage: Several states have identified godown sites, obtained loans and begun building under the ‘World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan’.
- National bodies: NCEL, NCOL and BBSSL made presentations on aggregation and market access.
- Next workshop: Proposed at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, in January 2027.
PACS computerisation timelines
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Audits for 2024-25 and 2025-26 | October 2026 |
| Phase 1 components | December 2026 |
| Scheme end (extension proposed without extra cost) | March 2027 |
About the Ministry of Cooperation
The ministry is headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who also holds the Cooperation portfolio, and works under the ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ vision. Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani gave the closing remarks at Bastar. Pledge finance models discussed with the Department of Economic Affairs are meant to support, not replace, MSP.
Exam angle
- Venue Bastar; next venue Mahabalipuram.
- Target of about 95,000 new PACS.
- NABARD’s role in a common CBS for cooperative banks.