Informs PACS to set up solar roof-top panels to save energy and general green energy
KARIMNAGAR, FEBRUARY 20, 2024: Mr Konduru Ravinder Rao, chairman of NAFSCOB, TSCAB and Karimnagar DCCB, has called upon the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) to diversify their business activities through Multi-Service Centres (MSC) as the NABARD had extended the scheme till 2026.
Already, 63 PACS have taken up 139 works under PACS to MSC programme and availed financial assistance of Rs 43.78 crore from NABARD in the integrated Karimnagar district, he said and added several other PACS were also given permission for taking up MSCs.
Presiding over the Karimnagar DCCB general body meeting at its main office in Karimnagar town on Tuesday, Mr Rao said that the PACS can avail funds from Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) by purchasing rural mobile marts to sell vegetables. He said that the Union government was taking several steps for the strengthening of cooperatives with the constitution of separate Ministry of Cooperation at the Centre during the last 30 months.
He said that the PACS customer petrol outlets were converted into retail outlet to benefit societies. Besides, the union government had considered PACS under category ‘E’ and sanctioned petrol bunks, he said and added that the Vemulawada PACS was the first beneficiary and secured a petrol bunk as part of diversification of business activities. He also informed the PACS to diversify the business by opening Common Service Centres (CSC) for the benefit of the villagers by providing various services at their doorstep.
The NAFSCOB chairman said that the TSCAB in association with Netherlands is going to launch a novel FarmRise scheme with 12 PACS on a pilot project for the marketing of the farmers produce. He also advised the PACS to install solar roof-tops with AIF funds and save power bills as well as generate green energy. He said that the loans would be given at 4 per cent interest for installation of solar roof-panels.
He said that the Union government was also examining to launch telemedicine facilities at PACS by opening clinics. He also advised the PACS to file their IT returns in time to avoid penalties. He also assured to get several new schemes to strengthen the PACS, which are the pillars of cooperatives.
Earlier, the general body had felicitated Mr Ravinder Rao on re-nomination as governing council for NCDC and BIRD for the second consecutive term. Vice chairman P Ramesh, CEO N Satyanarayana, DCO Ramanjaneyulu Charyulu, DRO Vijaya Kumari, NABARD DDM Jayaprakash, directors and others were also present.
