Lambra Kangri coop society honoured on NABARD’s 44th foundation day

On the occasion of its 44th foundation day, NABARD Punjab organised a special function to celebrate its contribution to rural and agricultural development on Tuesday. During the ceremony, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) demonstrating exemplary performance across the state were felicitated.

Among them, the Lambra Kangri Multipurpose Cooperative Service Society Ltd. from Hoshiarpur was honoured with the best performance award. The award was received by the society’s secretary, Jaswinder Singh Saini, from the Finance Minister of Punjab, Harpal Singh Cheema, who attended the function as the chief guest.

The Finance Minister praised the outstanding performance of the Lambra Kangri Cooperative Society and encouraged the sharing of its success story with other PACS. “Such efforts reflect the potential of grassroots institutions in driving inclusive development,” he remarked.

Speaking at the event, Saini highlighted that the society had not only earned a reputation within India, but also gained recognition internationally. He shared that the society currently offers around 13 types of services to its members. “If all 3,500 PACS in Punjab begin operating with similar efficiency, the vision of the Punjab Government and the Government of India can certainly be realised,” he said.

About the society

The society, which came into existence in 1920, was honoured with a state award by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the Independence Day in 2024. One of its major works was setting up of a biogas plant in the village. With its help, villagers switched from LPG cylinders to piped biogas in 2016. The society, which has always been catering to the villagers’ needs, was adopted by Kahn Singh Pannu in 1999.

The biogas meters and chullahs are provided to villagers by the society on its own expenses. Even Government Senior Secondary School, Lambra, is using piped gas to prepare mid-day meals for students. For this initiative, the society was also felicitated with the Dr Shirin Gadhia Sustainability Award by Eco Centre ICNEER (International Centre for Networking Ecology, Education Re-Integration) in association with Muni Sewa Ashram. The society recently also started Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra at Lambra village where medicines are provided at much lower rates to patients.