In a bid to strengthen the Cooperation Department, Punjab Chief Minister gave the go ahead signal to immediately recruit 300 Inspectors and 50 clerks in the Department besides, 50 Managers, 300 Clerk-cum-Data Entry Operators, 21 Assistant System Analysts in the Cooperatives Banks of the State.A decision to this effect was taken by Badal today during a high level review meeting with the senior officers of the Cooperation Department and different Cooperative Institutions like Punjab State Cooperative Bank, Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank etc. here at his official residence. Taking part in the deliberations, Badal said that he was fully aware with the fact that department was facing acute shortage of manpower especially at field level and in order to streamline the working he directed the department to immediately launch recurrent drive. To make Punjab Cooperative Banks professionally more viable through creating customer friendly atmosphere, Badal asked the department to renovate 100 branches on the modern lines during this current financial year, whereas rest would be covered within next three years. Badal said that the Core Banking Solution (CBS) in all the branches of cooperative banks in the State would be rolled out as per schedule i.e. by the end of the year. He further directed the department to insure the installation of sufficient ATMs immediately after implementation of CBS, to bring the services of the Cooperative Banks at par with the Commercial Banks. Badal also approved to raise Revolving Cash Credit (RCC) Limit for the farmers from Rs. 8 lac to Rs. 15 lac in 5 Central Cooperatives Banks having a deposit base of more than Rs. 700 crore and directed the Managing Director of the PSCB to review the RCC scheme in other Central Cooperative Banks for upward revision as per their financial position. He also directed to make suitable changes in other loans schemes in accordance with the needs of the people. To put democratically elected Board of Directors in place, He directed that elections should be conducted in all those Central Cooperative Banks where election was due. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of Dairy Sector in the State and issued directions to the Cooperative Banks to make special efforts to provide benefits of various schemes relating to Dairy Farming the people.While reviewing the functioning of the Punjab State Cooperation Agricultural Development Bank, he gave approval in principle for need based for need based recruitment of officials at various level like Assistant System Analysts, Assistant Managers, Field Officers and Clerks.In order to help farmers in reducing their cost of cultivation, he directed that Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) should start Agro Services Centers. The Chief Minister also issued directions that suitable PACS should be indentified for starting Consumer Diesel Pump in order to provide diesel to farmers at their door steps and strengthen the financial position of the PACS.While reviewing Mai Bhago Istri Shakti Scheme, the functionaries of the department were asked to bring more women under the ambit of this scheme.