Jammu, Feb 23: Secretary Cooperative, Babila Rakwal on Friday directed the Deputy Registrars Cooperative Societies to expedite the process of formation of 50 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to complete and cover all the uncovered blocks in a time-bound manner. She directed them to register the FPOs under both the Co-operative Acts (Registration of Cooperative Societies Act 1989 and Self Reliant Act 1999) as per the feasibility of members available; however, the number of FPOs should mandatorily be 100 members.
Chairing a meeting of senior officers to review the status of “Formation of PACS as FPOs” here, the Secretary directed the Deputy Registrars and other concerned officers to maximise membership of women in FPO formation, as the role of women in delivering the services is quite remarkable. She said the Central government’s mandate is that at least 30 percent of the expenditure should be on women farmers.
Babila was briefed about the scheme and the target fixed by the Government of India for the formation of FPOs under the Central Sector Scheme, i.e. Formation and Promotion of FPOs, under which one FPO in a single block has to be formed initially.
It was also informed that the PACS selected by the Selection Committee in a particular block will then establish FPO Cooperative from their members under the Central Sector Scheme. The meeting also discussed other issues pertaining to the formation of FPOs at the block level.
The Secretary informed that 10 FPOs have been registered so far in the district Baramulla, Kulgam, Jammu and Kishtwar. It was also informed that 9 PACS have been identified as FPOs in Rajouri, Baramulla, Kulgam, Kathua and Udhampur districts. Deputy Registrars of both divisions apprised the Secretary of various aspects and issues being faced by them while forming FPOs in their respective districts.
