As another significant step towards making Odisha’s cooperative sector more modern, technology-driven, transparent, efficient, and self-reliant, the IT Skill Enhancement Training Programme for PACS and LAMPCS officials through OS-CIT was formally launched today.
At the inaugural programme held at the State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhawan, Minister of Cooperation, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts, Shri Pradeep Bal Samant, launched the training programme. PACS/LAMPCS officials from different parts of the State joined the programme virtually from their respective Authorized Learning Centres (ALCs). The training programme is being implemented by Odisha Knowledge Corporation Limited (OKCL) in collaboration with the Cooperation Department, Government of Odisha.
Under this programme, 5,422 officials from 2,711 PACS/LAMPCS across the State will be trained. Two officials from each PACS/LAMPCS are being enrolled in the programme. The registration process has been completed, and the formal training commenced today.
The training is being imparted through 540 OKCL-authorized learning centres (ALCs) across the State. This will enable PACS/LAMPCS officials working in different parts of Odisha to receive training from an ALC located close to their respective areas.
At present, the Cooperation Department is undertaking several initiatives, including National Level PACS Software (NLPS)/ERP-based digital transformation of PACS, computerization of the offices of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, and digitization of records of cooperative offices.
In this context, the objective of the OS-CIT training is to equip PACS and LAMPCS officials with basic computer knowledge, digital work processes, and the skills required to effectively use IT tools. This will help make the day-to-day functioning of cooperative institutions faster, more transparent, and more efficient.
The OS-CIT curriculum also includes a dedicated module on NLPS ERP. Through this module, PACS officials will acquire basic knowledge of the ERP environment that they will be required to use in the future.
With 5,422 officials from 2,711 PACS/LAMPCS being covered, this large-scale digital skill enhancement training programme holds significance as the first such initiative undertaken by any State in India at this scale.
The successful implementation of this programme in Odisha can serve as a replicable model for other States. Based on the experience gained through this initiative, it will pave the way for the introduction of similar large-scale digital skill enhancement programmes in other States across the country.
On the occasion, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Cooperation Department, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS; Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Manish Agarwal, IAS; Additional Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Bhaktabandhu Sahu; and Managing Director, OKCL, Dr. Manoranjan Puthal, along with senior officials of various departments, were present.
“From technology to efficiency, from efficiency to empowerment, and from empowered cooperatives to empowered farmers”—this is the shared vision and objective of the initiative.
