CM Majhi launches 'Sambandh', expands co-op infra for Odisha farmers
Synopsis
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi launched 'Sambandh' on 25 September 2026, inaugurating 70 PACS offices, upgrading 185 paddy procurement centres, opening 250 Jan Seva Kendras, and laying foundation stones for 4 model mandis — a sweeping single-day push to strengthen the state's grassroots cooperative network.
Key Takeaways
70 PACS offices and godowns were inaugurated on 25 September 2026 under the 'Sambandh' initiative.
Foundation stones were laid for 4 model mandis and 3 godowns to improve farmer market access.
185 paddy procurement centres received infrastructure upgrades ahead of the kharif season.
250 PACS now have operational Jan Seva Kendras , expanding digital public services in rural Odisha.
21 PACS opened milk collection centres , diversifying cooperative services into dairy.
The push aligns with the Centre's national drive to computerise 63,000 PACS and the 2021 Ministry of Cooperation mandate.
Seventy new PACS offices and godowns are open, four model mandis are breaking ground, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wants every farmer in the state to feel the difference — fast. On Friday, 25 September 2026, the Chief Minister announced a sweeping expansion of cooperative and agricultural infrastructure under the newly launched initiative 'Sambandh', signalling that the state's grassroots credit network is being rebuilt from the soil up.
Posting in Odia, CM Majhi wrote: 'In the people's government, farmers and cooperatives are getting priority. With the auspicious launch of Sambandh, various steps have begun to strengthen the cooperative system and deliver more facilities and services to farmers.' The post catalogued a cluster of simultaneous inaugurations and foundation-stone layings — the kind of single-day rollout designed to signal both political will and administrative readiness.What opened on 25 September — and what broke ground
The numbers are specific and substantial. The state inaugurated new offices and godowns for 70 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) — the village-level institutions that form the base of India's three-tier cooperative credit structure. Alongside, foundation stones were laid for 4 model mandis and 3 additional godowns. Upgrades to 185 paddy procurement centres were announced, and 250 PACS received operational Jan Seva Kendras — Common Service Centres under the Digital India umbrella that provide e-governance and public utility services in rural areas. A quieter but telling addition: 21 PACS now host milk collection centres, extending the cooperative's reach into dairy and diversifying farmer income streams.How 'Sambandh' fits into India's cooperative push
The launch is not happening in a policy vacuum. Since the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation at the Centre in 2021, national policy has pushed hard to convert PACS from single-purpose credit outlets into multi-purpose rural service hubs — offering loans, marketing, citizen services, and commodity storage under one roof. The 2022-23 Union Budget backed computerisation of 63,000 PACS across India, providing a fiscal spine for exactly the kind of physical and digital upgrades Odisha is now accelerating. The state's moves track that national blueprint closely, layering local infrastructure on top of central funding architecture. The BJP government in Odisha, in office since 2024, has made cooperative strengthening a consistent theme — positioning it as the delivery mechanism for agrarian welfare rather than relying solely on direct-benefit transfers.The kharif test ahead
The real proof will come during the next kharif procurement season, when the 185 upgraded paddy procurement centres will face their first high-volume test. Utilisation rates at the new godowns and the throughput of grain through the model mandis will determine whether this infrastructure translates into better price realisation for farmers or remains underused. Supplementary budget provisions for the remaining PACS yet to be upgraded will also be a number to watch. Odisha's farmers now have more doors to walk through. Whether those doors lead to measurably higher incomes is the question the next harvest will begin to answer.Point of View
And let visible infrastructure do the political work. By bundling mandis, godowns, Jan Seva Kendras, and dairy collection under a single branded launch, the Majhi government is linking national cooperative policy directly to Odisha's farm economy, a state where agrarian distress has historically shaped electoral outcomes. The kharif procurement season will serve as an unforgiving performance audit: utilisation numbers will either validate the investment or expose it as ribbon-cutting without follow-through. The real strategic bet is whether multi-purpose PACS can genuinely raise farmer income — not just expand access — before the next electoral cycle.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Sambandh' scheme launched by Odisha CM Majhi?
'Sambandh' is an Odisha government initiative launched on 25 September 2026 to strengthen the cooperative system and expand services to farmers, including new PACS offices, model mandis, godowns, Jan Seva Kendras, and milk collection centres.
What are PACS and why do they matter for Odisha farmers?
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) are village-level cooperative institutions that provide short-term crop loans, input supplies, and — increasingly — citizen services and commodity storage to farmers at the grassroots level.
How many PACS offices were inaugurated in Odisha on 25 September 2026?
New offices and godowns for 70 PACS were inaugurated, alongside foundation stones for 4 model mandis and 3 additional godowns.
What are Jan Seva Kendras and how are they connected to PACS in Odisha?
Jan Seva Kendras are Common Service Centres under the Digital India programme that deliver e-governance and utility services in rural areas. Under the Sambandh initiative, 250 PACS in Odisha have been equipped with these centres to expand digital access for farmers.
How does Odisha's cooperative push align with national policy?
It mirrors the central government's direction since the creation of the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021, which mandates making PACS multi-purpose entities. The 2022-23 Union Budget also allocated funds for computerising 63,000 PACS nationally, providing a policy and fiscal framework the Odisha initiative builds on.
