Mayabunder, July 6: A meeting of the District Cooperative Development Committee (DCDC), North & Middle Andaman District was held today in the Conference Hall of DC Office, Mayabunder under the chairmanship of Shri Ankit Yadav, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, North & Middle Andaman District, who is also the Chairman of the Committee. Representatives from NABARD, NFDB, District Cooperative Fisheries Federation and local Heads of Offices of all line Departments (Cooperation, Agriculture, AH&VS & Fisheries) attended the meeting. In the meeting, matters relating to implementation of the plan for strengthening cooperative movement and deepening its reach to the grassroot level in North & Middle Andaman District were reviewed and discussed.

The working of 28 PACS registered under North & Middle Andaman District were reviewed and it was directed for making amendments in bye-laws in terms of adoption of provision of model bye-laws of PACS issued by the Ministry of Cooperation, Govt. of India. The matter relating to computerization and operation of CSC by PACS were also discussed. Regarding computerization of PACS, it was informed that all 28 PACS have entered their data in computerized software and Field Verification Report of the concerned PACS by the officials of the Cooperative Department is currently underway. Presently 4 PACS are functioning as CSC and 4 more PACS are in pipeline to start functioning. The Deputy Commissioner, N&M Andaman on the matter of ‘Decentralized Grain Storage Plan through PACS’ has asked to conduct a feasibility study of the project in the District. The SVO of the Animal Husbandry Department was directed to conduct field survey among cattle farmers and explore the possibilities for forming Dairy Cooperatives at village level so that micro level food processing unit can be set up. Regarding setting up of Jan Aushadhi Kendra for improving access to generic medicines at rural level, it was directed by the DC to identify PACS who are interested in carrying out the business. Similarly, it was also directed to encourage PACS to operate Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras for fertilizer distribution. Regarding formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), the Deputy Commissioner directed the Assistant Director of Agriculture & Fisheries Department to provide guidance regarding guidelines and procedures for registration of FPOs involving farmers and fishermen to District Fisheries Cooperative Federation in coordination with NABARD.

Specific directions were also issued by the Deputy Commissioner, N&M Andaman to all concerned Departments to coordinate with all stakeholders and provide all necessary support for ensuring implementation of plan, especially Central Schemes, at the ground level in a time bound manner. It was also directed to create awareness & promotions of all the schemes at village level and tangible progress should be made in each sector, a press release from Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, North & Middle Andaman District said.