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JHARKHAND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2015

JHARKHAND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2015

JHARKHAND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2015

Preamble - JHARKHAND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2015

THE JHARKHAND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2015

[Act No. 21 of 2015]

[07th November, 2015]

PREAMBLE

An Act to amend the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935

Whereas voluntarily constituted Co-operative societies can lead to the socio-economic betterment of their members based on their participation, democratic control and autonomous functioning so as to act more meaningfully in the interests of their members;

And where as it is the obligation of the state government to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of the Co-operative societies in the State and promote them and take such measures as are necessary for this purpose;

And where as in pursuance of the 97th amendment Act of the constitution of India, many amendments are imperative in the Jharkhand Co-operative societies Act, 1935

Be it enacted by the Governor of Jharkhand in the 66th year of the Republic of India as follows:-

 

Section 1 - Short title, extent and commencement

(1)     This Act may be called the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies (amendment) Act, 2015.

 

(2)     It shall extend to the whole of the State of Jharkhand.

 

(3)     It shall come into force at once.

 

Section 2 - Insertion after sub-section (bb) of section 2 of the Act 6 of 1935

The following Sub-section (bbb) shall be added after the Sub-section (bb) of section 2 of the Jharkhand co-operative societies Act, 1935, namely "Cooperative Society" means a society registered under this Act.

 

Section 3 - Amendment in Sub-section (e) of Section-2 of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (e) of Section 2 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely-

(e) "Board" means Board of Directors or Governing Body or Managing Committee, by whatever name called, to whom the direction and control of the management of the affairs of a Co-operative Society is entrusted to;

 

Section 4 - Amendment in Sub-section (ff) of section-2 of the Act-6 of 1935

Sub-section (ff) of section-2 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following namely-"Multipurpose Cooperative Society" means a Primary Society, the object of which is to provide various services related to credit, business, industry, consumer durables to its members.

 

Section 5 - Amendment in Sub-section (gg) of section-2 of the Act-6 of 1935

Sub-section (gg) of s`ection-2 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 Shall be substituted by the following namely-"office bearer" means a president, vice president, chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary or treasurer of a co-operative society and includes any other person to be elected by the Board of any co-operative society;

 

Section 6 - Amendment in Sub-section (ggg) of section-2 of the Act-6 of 1935

Sub-section (ggg) of section-2 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 Shall be substituted by the following namely-"Primary Society" means a registered society whose membership consists exclusively of individuals and self help groups.

 

Section 7 - Amendment in Sub-section (gggg) of section-2 of the Act-6 of 1935

Sub-section (gggg) of section-2 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following namely-"Primary Agriculture Credit Society"- (1) The Primary object or principal business of which is to provide financial accommodation to its members for agricultural purposes or for purposes connected with agricultural activities (including the marketing of crops; and includes a Multipurpose Cooperative Society.

 

Section 8 - Amendment in Sub-section (o) of section-2 of the Act-6 of 1935

Sub-section (o) of section-2 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 Shall be substituted by the following namely- "Central Cooperative Society" means a Co-operative Society which is different from Federation and Union and which has any other Co-operative Society, and if the by-laws so provided, individuals as its members.

 

Section 9 - Insertion after sub-section (t) of section 2 of the Act 6 of 1935

The following Sub-section (u) shall be added after the Sub-section (t) of section 2 of the Jharkhand co-operative societies Act, 1935, namely "General Body" means all the members or delegates of all the members of that co-operative society collectively;

 

Section 10 - Insertion after sub-section (u) of section 2 of the Act 6 of 1935

The following Sub-section (v) shall be added after the Sub-section (u) of section 2 of the Jharkhand co-operative societies Act, 1935, namely "Authorised person" means a person referred to as such in Section 45(1) of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935;

 

Section 11 - Insertion after sub-section (v) of section 2 of the Act 6 of 1935

The following Sub-section (w) shall be added after the Sub-section (v) of section 2 of the Jharkhand co-operative societies Act, 1935, namely "State level Co-operative Society" means a co-operative society having its area of operation extending to the whole of state and defined as such in the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935;

 

Section 12 - Insertion after Sub-section (w) of section 2 of the Act 6 of 1935

The following Sub-section (x) shall be added after the Sub-section (w) of Sub-section 2 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Act, 1935 namely "Functional Directors" means functional executive directors of the society specified as per rules or Bye-laws of that co-operative society;

 

Section 13 - Amendment in Sub-section (1) and Sub-section (2) of section 13 A of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (1) and Sub-section (2) of section 13A of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

(1)     It shall be the duty of the State Government to encourage and promote the voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic member-control and member-economic participation, professional management of Co-operative Societies in the State and to take such steps in this direction as may be necessary.

 

(2)     To encourage and promote the co-operative society with provisions of sub-section (1), the State Government if it deems necessary, may-

 

(a)      With a view to aid the growth of a co-operative society in general or of any class of cooperative societies subscribe directly to the share capital of a co-operative society;

 

(b)      assist in the formation and augmentation of the share capital of a co-operative society;

 

(c)      give loans or make advances to a co-operative society or guarantee repayment of principal and payment of interest on debentures issued by a co-operative society or guarantee repayment of principal and payment of interest on loans or advances to a co-operative society.

 

Section 14 - Amendment in Sub-section (2) of section 14 of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (2) of section 14 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

The management of registered society shall be vested in a managing committee constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Act and rules/Bye-laws of the society made under this Act.

Provided that the Maximum number of directors of a co-operative society shall not exceed twenty-one;

Provided that at least 50 Percent seat of managing board shall be reserved for the women members. Out of which two seats shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes women in the board of every Co-operative Society consisting of individuals as members and having members from such class or category of persons. The seats so reserved shall be filled up from amongst the members of scheduled castes or scheduled tribes women members either by election or/and by co-option.

This provision shall apply to all societies from the primary society and up to the Apex society. Provided further that such reservation in primary society and up to the Apex society shall be governed by the rules made under this Act for this purpose.

 

Section 15 - Renumbering of Sub-section 4 of section 14 of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section 4 of section 14 shall be renumbered as Sub-section (4A) of section 14 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935.

 

Section 16 - Insertion of Sub-section (4B) after Sub-section (4) of section (14) of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (4B) shall be added after Sub-section (4) of section (14) of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 by the following, namely:

(4B) Notwithstanding anything contained in any provision of this Act, or rules framed thereunder or the bye-laws of any Co-operative Society, persons having experience in the field of banking, management, finance or specialization in any other field relating to the objects and activities undertaken by the co-operative society may be co-opted to the board of the society. Provided that the number of such co-opted members shall not exceed two and that number shall be in addition to the specified maximum number in the Sub-section 2.

Provided further that such co-opted members shall not have the right to vote in any election of the co-operative society in their capacity as such members or to be eligible to be elected as office bearers of the board.

Provided also that the functional directors of a co-operative society shall also be the members of the board and such members shall be excluded for the purpose of counting the total number of directors specified in the sub section 2.

 

Section 17 - Amendment in Sub-section (9) of section (14) of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (9) of section (14) of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

Notwithstanding anything contained in any provision of rules or the bye-laws of any Co-operative Society, the election of a board shall be conducted before the expiry of the term of the board so as to ensure that the newly elected members of the board assume office immediately on the expiry of the office of members of the outgoing board.

The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of all elections to a co-operative society shall vest in such an authority or body, as may be provided by the act or as per the rules or the bye-laws of the co-operative society.

Notwithstanding anything contained in any provision of rules or the bye-laws of any Co-operative Society the term of office of elected members of the board and its office bearers shall be five years from the date of election and the term of office bearers shall be conterminous with the term of the board.

Provided that the board may fill a casual vacancy on the board by nomination out of the same class of members in respect of which the casual vacancy has arisen, if the term of office of the board is less than half of its original term.

Provided further that if the term of the Board remains for more than half of its original term and if any vacancy arises for elected members or office bearers for any reason whatsoever, the Co-operative society shall fill the vacancy by special general meeting.

 

Section 18 - Amendment in Sub-section (10) of section (14) of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (10) of section (14) of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be deleted.

 

Section 19 - Amendment in section (27) of the Act 6 of 1935

Section (27) of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

(1)     Member of a co-operative society shall exercise the rights of a member after he has made such payment to the society in respect of membership as may be prescribed in the rules or bye-laws of the society.

Provided that notwithstanding anything contained in any provisions of this Act, the member of a Co-operative Society shall exercise the right to vote at the election of members of the board of society only after ensuring minimum attendance, as required in the meetings convened for participation in management of the society and availing of minimum requisite services of the society as may be prescribed by the rules or the bye-laws of the society made under the act.

(2)     Every co-operative society shall provide access to every member to books, information and accounts of the co-operative society kept in regular transaction of its business with such member.

 

(3)     Every member of a co-operative society shall have the right to get all information/documents regarding books, information and accounts of the co-operative society kept in regular transaction of its business. The chief executive officer/manager of the co-operative society shall ensure access to the member to all required information/documents.

 

(4)     The members of any co-operative society shall have the right to get education and training related to co-operative as per the rules or byelaws made under any provisions of this act.

 

Section 20 - Insertion of chapter IV-A after chapter IV of the Act 6 of 1935

Chapter IV-A shall be added to the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 after chapter IV, namely-

Annual General Meeting and Annual Statement of Accounts of the Co-operative Society

32(A) Annual General Meeting:-

(1)     Board of every Co-operative Society shall convene annual general meeting within six months from the closure of financial year, which shall deal with all or any of the matter listed below except those in relation to the election of members and office-bearer of the Board:-

 

(a)      consideration of the annual statement of accounts presented by the Board for being filed before the Registrar.

 

(b)      consideration of annual report presented by the Board.

(c)      appointment and removal of statutory auditors and internal auditors,

 

(d)      consideration of the auditor's report and audited statement of accounts for being filed with the Registrar,

 

(e)      consideration of audit/special audit compliance report,

 

(f)       report on action taken on inquiry report under section 39, if any,

 

(g)      disposal of net surplus,

 

(h)     review of operational deficit, if any,

 

(i)       approval of the long term perspective plan and the annual operational plan,

 

(j)       approval of the annual budget,

 

(k)      creation of specific reserves and other funds.

 

(l)       review of actual utilization of reserve and other funds,

 

(m)    report on membership of the Co-operative Society in other Co-operative Societies.

 

(n)     appeal of a person whose application for membership has been rejected or whose membership has been terminated by the board.

 

(o)      remuneration payable to any Director, auditor or internal auditor in connection with his duties in that capacity or his attendance at related meeting,

(p)      membership of the Co-operative Society in union/federation.

 

(q)      collaboration with other organisation,

 

(r)      amendment of bye-law,

 

(s)      formulation of code of conduct for the Directors and office-bearers,

 

(t)       note on admission and termination of members,

 

(u)     dissolution of the co-operative Society.

 

(v)      such other functions specified in the bye-laws.

 

(2)     In accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1), for the works specified under sub-section (2), the annual general meeting of the Co-operative Society shall be held at a time, date and place notified in accordance with the bye-laws and if the quorum is present, the Chairman of the Cooperative Society shall preside over the meeting.

Provided that in the absence of Chairman, Vice Chairman, or in the absence of both Chairman and Vice Chairman, a person elected by the members from among themselves shall preside over the meeting.

Provided further that in case of a Society, where the Managing Committee has been superseded under the provision of the Act, the Administrator shall be the Chairman of the General Meeting and in his absence a person nominated by him shall be the Chairman of the meeting.

(3)     The person presiding at the meeting shall conduct the proceedings in such manner as may be conducive to expeditious and satisfactory disposal of business and shall decide all points of order at the meeting.

 

(4)     The quorum for a general meeting shall be one fifth of the total membership of the society or thirty whichever is less on the date of issue of the notice of the meeting.

 

(5)     If within an hour of the time schedule appointed for the meeting the quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to a date not earlier than seven days and not later than twenty-one days:

 

(6)     No quorum shall be necessary for an adjourned meeting.

 

(7)     All questions before a general meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes and in the event of equality of votes, the Chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote.

 

(8)     Voting by proxy shall not be allowed, but the Registrar may permit this to be done in the case of any particular registered society or class of registered societies.

 

(9)     Voting at a general meeting shall be done by show of hands and only in exceptional case voting by ballot may be resorted to if the Registrar so directs, on his own motion, or on the application filed by the society concerned.

 

(10)   The minutes of proceeding of general meeting shall be recorded in a book to be kept for the purpose and the minutes shall be signed by the person presiding at the meeting.

 

(11)   An appeal shall lie to the Registrar on all matters relating to procedure followed at any general meeting and his decision thereon shall be final.

32(B) Filing Annual statements of Accounts:-

Co-operative Society shall file returns before the Registrar within six months of the end of every financial year which shall include following subjects:

(a)      Annual report of the activities.

 

(b)      Audited statement of accounts.

 

(c)      Plan to deal with the surplus as approved by general body.

 

(d)      List of the amendments done, if any, in the bye-laws of the Co-operative Society.

 

(e)      Declaration regarding date to the conduct of election, if due, and date for the holding of its general body meeting.

 

(f)       Any other information by the registrar in pursuance of any of the provisions of the act.

 

Section 21 - Amendment in section (33) of the Act 6 of 1935

Section (33) of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

Audit: (1) A Co-operative Society shall get its accounts audited by Auditor from a panel approved by Registrar, Co-operative Societies or the authority authorized by him, at least once in each financial year. Such auditor shall either be a Chartered Accountant within the meaning of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 or from the office of the Registrar.

(2)? ?The minimum qualification and experience of auditors and Chartered Accountants firm shall be determined from time to time. Only such auditor or Chartered Accountants firm shall be eligible for the audit of the accounts of Co-operative Society.

(3) ??The audit of the accounts of every Co-operative Society shall be done by the auditor or Chartered Accountant firm, specified under sub-section (2), appointed by the General Body of Co-operative Society.

(4)? ?It shall be mandatory to audit the accounts of every Co-operative Society within six months from the end of the financial year.

(5)? ?Apex Co-operative Society, with the approval of general body shall compulsorily submit the audit report after the audit of the statement of accounts to the Registrar within thirty days so that the report may be placed in the Legislature through State Government in accordance with the procedure laid down by the State Government for this purpose.

(6) ??It shall be the duty of the board to ensure that annual financial statements are prepared and presented for audit within forty-five days of closure of the financial year.

(7)? ?The remuneration of an auditor shall be fixed by the general body in terms with the audit fee fixed by the Registrar.

Provided that if audit is done by the auditor of the office of Registrar, the Co-operative Society shall pay the audit fee fixed by the Registrar.

(8) ??Upon the demand of the auditor of a Co-operative Society, the present or former office-bearers, board members or employees of the Co-operative Society shall furnish-

(a)      such information and explanation, as may be considered necessary, and

 

(b)      each of the record, documents, books of accounts and vouchers of the Co-operative Society as are, in the opinion of the auditor, necessary to enable him to make the examination and report.

(9) ??Where a Co-operative Society fails to get its annual account audited when due, Registrar shall get the accounts of the Co-operative Society audited within a period of ninety days from the date when the audit was due.

(10) The cost of conducting such audit shall be borne by the Co-operative Society.

 

Section 22 - Insertion of section (33)(A) after section (33) of the Act 6 of 1935

Section (33)(A) shall be added after section (33) to the Jharkhand Cooperative Societies Act, 1935 by the following, namely:-

33.(A) Special Audit

(1)     A Co-operative Society dealing with funds from the Government or other external individual or institution may be subject to a special audit initiated by the Registrar at the request of such creditor or of his own motion with written specific order/direction.

 

(2)     Special audit under Sub-section (1) shall be done by District Audit Officer/Senior level Audit Officers or any Committee of such officers under the control of Registrar.

 

(3)     Provided that where the special audit reveals serious mismanagement in the Co-operative Society, such costs may be recovered from the Co-operative Society or the persons responsible for the mismanagement.

 

(4)     Every special audit shall be completed and the report submitted to the Registrar within one hundred and twenty days of its commencement.

 

(5)     The special audit report shall contain a statement of:-

 

(a)      every payment which appears to the auditor to be contrary to Act, rules or bye-laws of the Society,

 

(b)      the amount of any deficiency, waste or loss which appears to have been caused by the gross negligence or misconduct of any person in the performance of duties,

(c)      the amount of any sum received which ought to have been accounted for but is not brought into account by any person, and

 

(d)      any asset or money, which any person related with the organization or management of the Co-operative Society or any former or present member of the Co-operative Society has misappropriated or fraudulently retained.

 

(6)     The Registrar shall, within a period of thirty days from the date of the receipt of the special audit report transmit copies of the same to-

 

(a)      the applicant creditor,

 

(b)      the cooperative society concerned, and

 

(c)      direct the authorized officer to file proceedings of surcharge where necessary under section 40.

 

Section 23 - Insertion of section 33(B) after section 33(A) of the Act 6 of 1935

Section 33(B) shall be added after section 33(A) to the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935

33(B) Maintenance of accounts and records

(1)     Every Co-operative Society shall keep at its registered office the following accounts and records:-

 

(a)      a copy of this Act with amendments made from time to time,

 

(b)      the minutes book,

(c)      registration certificate and a copy of the registered bye-laws and the amendments made from time to time with date of amendment.

 

(d)      a copy of the authenticated byelaws of the federation/union of which it is a member and for each of its member Co-operative Societies.

 

(e)      account of all sums of money received and expended by the Co-operative Society and their respective purposes.

 

(f)       account of all purchases and sales of goods by the Co-operative Society,

 

(g)      account of the assets and liabilities of the Co-operative Society.

 

(h)     a register showing total membership and the member wise use of various services,

 

(i)       a list of members with voting rights for the current year updated within thirty days of closure of the financial year,

 

(j)       copies of the board policies,

 

(k)      annual report, audit report, special audit report, inquiry report and their compliances.

 

(l)       copies of other laws and regulations to which the Co-operative Society is subject,

 

(m)    such other documents as are relevant to the functioning of the society provided that where a Cooperative Society has branch offices, accounts and records related to the branch, shall be available at the registered office for any period within twenty five days of the end of the financial year.

(n)     all other documents, register, circulars, etc. required in accordance with the provisions and circulars issued by NABARD, RBI and Registrar from time to time.

 

(2)     The books of accounts of every Co-operative Society together with supporting records and vouchers shall be preserved for such period as may be provided in the bye-laws subject to any other laws for the time being in force.

 

Section 24 - Insertion in subsection (1) of section 40 of the Act 6 of 1935

The following words shall be added in first line of subsection (1) of section 40 of the Jharkhand Cooperative Society Act, 1935 - The words "and special audit under section 33(A)" after the words "audit under section 33"

 

Section 25 - Amendment in Sub-section (1) of section 41 of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (1) of section 41 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

(1)     Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no board shall be superseded or kept under suspension for a period exceeding six months;

Provided that if in the opinion of the Registrar, the Board of any registered society, where the state government has contributed to the share capital, has provided loan, or financial aid provided has been on Government guarantee may be superseded or kept under suspension in case, it-

(i)       is persistently making defaults, or

 

(ii)      is negligent in the performance of the duties imposed on it by this Act, the Rules or the bye-laws, or

 

 

(iii)     committed any act prejudicial to the interest of the co-operative society or its members, or

 

(iv)    there is stalemate in the constitution or functioning of the Board; or

 

(v)      the authority or body as provided in the act, rules and bye-laws has failed to conduct elections in accordance with the provisions of the act:

The Registrar may, after giving opportunity to the managing committee to state its objection, if any, by order, with reasons in writing, supersede the Board of the Co-operative society for a period not exceeding six months and order that all or any of its members may be disqualified from being elected to the Board of the co-operative society for a period to be specified in the order, not exceeding five years. Registrar shall record every order passed under this section in writing and inform the concerned Co-operative society through registered post.

Provided further that the board of any such co-operative society shall not be superseded or kept under suspension where there is no government shareholding or loan or financial assistance or any guarantee by the government.

Provided that in case of co-operative society carrying on the business of banking, provisions of Banking Regulation Act, 1949 shall also apply.

Provided also that in case of co-operative society carrying the business of banking the maximum period of dissolution shall be of one year.

Provided that the dissolution of the Board of the co-operative society having banking operation shall be done in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India.

In case of supersession of a board, the Administrator so appointed shall provide every possible help to conduct the election. This arrangement shall be an interim arrangement and the Administrator shall hand over the management of the society to the new board after election within the prescribed period.

Provided that where government has not provided share capital or loan or financial assistance or any government guarantee and where the Co-operative Society fails to conduct elections before the expiry of the term of the board, the Registrar of the co-operative societies may order to convene a special general meeting of the members, for appointing an ad-hoc board for the purpose of conducting elections.

Provided that the outgoing members and office bearers of Board shall not be included in ad-hoc Board for the purpose of conducting elections.

Provided further that the term of ad-hoc board so appointed shall not exceed six months and the ad-hoc board so appointed shall provide every possible help to the Co-operative society to conduct the election. This arrangement shall be an interim arrangement and such appointed ad-hoc board shall hand over the management of the society to the new board after election within the prescribed period.

 

Section 26 - Amendment in Sub-section (2) of section 41 in the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (2) of section 41 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:- where the Registrar while proceeding to take action under Sub-section (1) is of opinion that suspension of the Board is necessary in the interest of the co-operative society, he may suspend the Board which shall thereupon cease to function and make such arrangement as he thinks proper for the management of the affairs of the co-operative society till the proceedings under Sub-section (1) are completed.

Provided that if the Board so suspended is not superseded it shall be reinstated after six months and the period during which it has remained suspended shall count towards its term.

 

Section 27 - Amendment in Sub-section (3) of section 41 of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (3) of section 41 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

(3) When any Co-operative society is under supersession under Sub-section (1), the Registrar shall appoint an Administrator to conduct the affairs of the society. The Administrator appointed under subsection (1), shall take necessary action for the election of the Board of Co-operative society within the specified period and shall hand over the management to elected Board.

Provided that the Registrar shall have the power to change the administrator during the period of supersession.

 

Section 28 - Amendment in Sub-section (4) of section 41 of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (4) of section 41 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

(4) The administrator appointed under sub-section (3) shall get remuneration, as may be fixed by the Registrar, as he deems fit to carry on the business of the co-operative society. The remuneration so fixed shall be payable from the accounts of co-operative society.

Provided that Administrator appointed under sub-section (3) shall work as per the service conditions laid down by the Registrar and shall perform all the duties and carry on responsibilities assigned to the Board under this act, rules and the bye-laws.

 

Section 29 - Amendment in section 42 of the Act 6 of 1935

Section 42 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

Winding up order.-

The Registrar may, by notification, order a registered society to be wound up if -

(a)      on receipt of a request for the winding up of the society by, special resolution passed by three-fourth of the members of the society,

 

(b)      after an inquiry has been held under section 35 or an inspection made under section 34, section 36 or section 37, the Registrar is of the opinion that winding up of the society is necessary in the interest of members, or

 

(c)      if a society has not commenced working after registration or has ceased working.

 

(d)      if the number of the members of the society has been reduced to less than ten contrary to the condition of registration.

But such order can only be passed after giving a notice of one month and providing opportunity of hearing to the shareholder members and persons/institutions having interest in the society.

 

Section 30 - Amendment in Sub-section (1) of section 43 of the Act 6 of 1935

The sub-section (1) of section 43 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

43(1) Appeal against the order of winding up

Any member of a society or person/institution having interest in it, in respect of which an order under section 42 has been passed may, within two months from the date of the publication of such order in the official Gazette, appeal to the State Government against such order.

 

Section 31 - Amendment in Section-44AK of the Act 6 of 1935

Section 44AK of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely-

Division, amalgamation, merger, compromise, etc. -

(1)     No order sanctioning a scheme of compromise or arrangement or of amalgamation or merger or reconstruction or of division or transfer of assets and liabilities of a Co-operative Bank shall be made without the previous sanction in writing of the Reserve Bank.

 

(2)     Where an order of moratorium has been made by the Central Government under sub-section (2) of section 45 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949(10 of 1949) in respect of a Co-operative Bank, the Registrar, with the previous approval of the Reserve Bank in writing may during the period of moratorium, prepare a scheme,-

 

(i)       for the re-construction of the Co-operative Bank; or

 

(ii)      for the merger of the Co-operative Bank, or

 

(iii)     for its amalgamation with any other Co-operative Bank (herein referred to as the transferee Bank).

(3)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act where a Co-operative Bank being an insured bank within the meaning of the Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 1961 (47 of 1961) is amalgamated or merged or in respect of which a scheme of compromise or arrangement or of reconstruction has been sanctioned and the Deposit Insurance Corporation has become liable to pay to the depositors of the insured bank, under sub-section (2) of section 16 of the Act, the bank with which such insured bank is amalgamated or merged or, the new Cooperative Bank formed after such amalgamation or, as the case may be, the insured bank or the transferee bank shall be under an obligation to repay the Deposit Insurance Corporation in the circumstances, to the extent and in the manner referred to in section 21 of that Act.

 

Section 32 - Amendment is section-44AN of the Act-6 of 1935

Section-44AN of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following namely-

Repayment to Deposit Insurance Corporation.- 

Where a Co-operative Bank, being an insured bank within the meaning of Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 1961 (47 of 1961) is wound up or is taken into liquidation and the Deposit Insurance Corporation has become liable to pay to the depositors of the insured bank under sub-section (1) of section 16 of that Act, the liquidator shall be under an obligation to repay the Deposit Insurance Corporation in the circumstances to the extent and in the manner referred to in section 21 of that Act.

 

Section 33 - Amendment in section 44 AU of the Act 6 of 1935

The Section 44AU of the Jharkhand Cooperative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

Notwithstanding anything contrary to or inconsistent with any provision contained in any other chapter of this Act or Rules framed under bye-laws of any registered society or order issued under the provision of this chapter shall have overriding effect.

 

Section 34 - Amendment in sub-section (21) of section 44 AV of the Act 6 of 1935

The sub-section (21) of section 44AV of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

There shall not be any common Cadre of Staff in Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society and the Cadre System shall be abolished forthwith.

 

Section 35 - Amendment in section 45(1)(a), Section 45(1)(b) and Section 45(2) of the Act 6 of 1935

Section 45(1)(a), Section 45(1)(b) & Section 45(2) of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

(45) Offences and Penalties -

(1)     It shall be an offence under this Act if-

 

(a)      a Co-operative society or an officer or member thereof wilfully files a false return or furnishes false information, or any person willfully does not furnish any information required from him by a person authorised in this behalf under the provisions of this Act;

 

(b)      any person wilfully or without any reasonable excuse disobeys any summons, requisition or lawful written order issued under the provisions of this Act;

 

(c)      any employer who, without sufficient cause, fails to pay to a Co-operative society, amount deducted by him from its employee within a period of fourteen days from the date on which such deduction is made;

(d)      any officer or custodian who wilfully fails to handover custody of books, accounts, documents, records, cash, security and other property belonging to a Co-operative society of which he is an officer or custodian, to an authorised person; and

 

(e)      any person indulges in corrupt practices before, during or after the election of the office bearer or member of the Board of the Co-operative society.

 

(2)     Any offence under Sub-section 1 of this section shall be punishable with imprisonment for a period which may extend up to one year or with a fine which may amount to rupees two thousand or both.

Provided that where a person is guilty of misappropriation, fraud, breach of trust, cheating or any other act involving moral turpitude, resulting in a loss to the Co-operative society, he shall also be punishable under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

 

Section 36 - Amendment in Sub-section (2) of section 47 of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (2) of section 47 of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

(2) Every offence under this Act except the offence under sub-section (1) (c) of section 48 shall, for the purpose of the code of criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) be deemed to be cognizable.

 

Section 37 - Amendment in Sub-section (1) of section 66(B) of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (1) of section 66(B) of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

66B(1). Personnel policy of Co-operative Societies

Co-operative Societies shall have autonomy in the formulation of policy regarding the posts, their numbers and the procedure for recruitment of the personnel thereof. Subject to provisions of byelaws and personnel policy, co-operative society shall prescribe the following among others:-

(1)     eligibility, age and experience,

 

(2)     pay scale and other emoluments,

 

(3)     procedure of recruitment,

 

(4)     service condition, and

 

(5)     disciplinary policy to be adopted.

 

Section 38 - Amendment in Sub-section (2) of section 66(B) of the Act 6 of 1935

Sub-section (2) of section 66(B) of the Jharkhand Co-operative Societies Act, 1935 shall be substituted by the following, namely:-

(2) any appointment made in contravention of the provisions of the byelaws and the personnel policy shall be void and salary and other allowances paid if any, shall be recoverable under section 40.