Have 61,869 Agri Credit Societies Really Been Digitized? Amit Shah Explains
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Synopsis
On December 9, Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah revealed that a significant milestone has been reached with the digitization of 61,869 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies. This advancement not only enhances transparency in operations but also integrates cooperative banks into Aadhaar-enabled payment systems, paving the way for modernized financial practices in agriculture.
Key Takeaways
- 61,869 PACSs successfully digitized their records.
- 60,424 PACSs onboarded onto ePACS Software.
- Emphasis on transparency and accountability.
- Free Aadhaar payment facility for three months.
- Strengthened cybersecurity measures initiated.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday that as part of a computerization initiative, 61,869 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) have successfully digitized their historical records. Furthermore, 60,424 PACSs have been integrated into the ePACS Software.
Shah noted, “A day-end stage has been reached by 57,092 PACSs. In 38,982 PACSs, on-system audits have been accomplished to ensure compliance and maintain operational integrity,” in response to inquiries in the Lok Sabha.
For enhanced oversight, the Minister mentioned that project management dashboards and customization tools are available to all relevant stakeholders.
“The ePACS software has instigated transparency in accounting and operations by documenting every detail of the PACS business and producing financial statements in accordance with CAS-MIS accounting standards. It facilitates on-system audits, thus promoting accountability,” he asserted.
Discussing efforts to connect co-operative banks with Aadhaar-enabled payment services, Shah elaborated that the UIDAI has lowered the licensing fees for the integration of Cooperative Banks into the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) based on transaction volume.
He added that cooperative financial institutions can now access this service free of charge for the first three months during the pre-production phase.
On August 1, 2025, a new framework was established for the onboarding of Cooperative Banks onto AePS. Currently, only State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) must register as Authentication User Agency/KYC User Agency (AUA/KUA), while District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) can utilize the service through StCBs as sub-AUA/KUA,” he explained.
According to available data, a total of 11 StCBs, 52 DCCBs, and 6 Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) have been onboarded to AePS, Shah confirmed.
To bolster cybersecurity measures, the Ministry has urged the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in all states and union territories, as well as the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies, to take prompt action for the onboarding of all cooperative banks under their jurisdiction to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). Currently, 23 StCBs, 85 DCCBs, and 57 UCBs have been onboarded to I4C.
Point of View
The digitization of agricultural credit societies marks a crucial step toward modernizing the financial framework supporting India's farmers. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Cooperation, reflects a commitment to enhancing transparency and efficiency in agricultural financing, ultimately benefiting millions of farmers across the nation.
NationPress
09/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of digitizing agricultural credit societies?
Digitizing agricultural credit societies enhances transparency, improves operational efficiency, and allows for better access to financial services for farmers.
How many PACSs have been onboarded onto ePACS Software?
Currently, 60,424 PACSs have been successfully integrated into the ePACS Software.
What are the benefits of the ePACS software?
The ePACS software promotes accountability by facilitating on-system audits and ensures compliance with CAS-MIS accounting norms.
What is the role of UIDAI in this initiative?
The UIDAI has reduced the licensing fees for cooperative banks to integrate with the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System based on transaction volumes.
How is cyber security being addressed in this project?
The Ministry has requested cooperative societies to onboard onto the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal to enhance cybersecurity measures.
