Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced on Wednesday that Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) will soon be able to sell airline tickets, marking a significant development for rural India. This move aims to broaden the scope of PACS, which are typically involved in providing financial services to farmers and rural communities. By diversifying into new services, PACS will be able to cater to a wider array of needs for local populations.
Shah highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader effort to expand the role of PACS in rural development. The plan is to link PACS to over 20 activities, which will not only include selling airline tickets but also offering various other services to the rural masses. These services will include access to banking, insurance, and even government welfare schemes, all aimed at improving the standard of living and economic opportunities for people in rural areas.
The inclusion of airline ticket sales will significantly benefit the rural population, making air travel more accessible and convenient. It also provides a platform for PACS to generate additional revenue, which can be reinvested into local communities. The government’s push for this initiative is a step toward increasing the digital and financial inclusion of rural populations, aligning with the broader vision of empowering the countryside through modern services.
This announcement has generated a lot of interest, especially in regions where access to travel and financial services has traditionally been limited. The expanded role of PACS is expected to not only improve convenience but also contribute to the broader economic growth of rural India by linking them to a more extensive range of services.