Section 20 in The Karnataka Souharda Sahakari Act, 1997
20. Persons who may be admitted or continued as members.
(1)Subject to the provisions of this Act, no person shall be admitted as a member of a Co-operative,-(a)unless he needs the services of the Co-operative and accepts the responsibility of membership and is competent to contract under the Contract Act, 1872 (Central Act IX of 1872);(b)if he conducts any business, such business being in conflict or competition [or if he is a member of another Co-operative having same objectives] [Inserted by Act 34 of 2014 w.e.f. 06.09.2014.] with the business of the Co-operative as specified in the bye-laws; and(c)unless he fulfills such other conditions as may be specified in the bye-laws of the Co-operative:Provided that after the registration of a Co-operative, the members shall be admitted only by the elected board.(2)No person shall be eligible to continue as a member if such person,-(a)has not used the services of the Co-operative for two consecutive [cooperative years] [Substituted by Act 4 of 2013 w.e.f. 11.02.2013.] to the minimum level specified in the bye-laws; or(b)has not attended three consecutive general meetings of the Co-operative and such absence has not received the consent of the general body; or(c)is in default regarding any payment to be made to the Co-operative exceeding an amount and for a period specified in the bye-laws.(2A)[ No cooperative shall, without sufficient cause in writing, refuse admission to membership to any person under the provisions of this Act or the Rules and the bye-laws made there under The board of the cooperative shall send a written communication of its decision to such person within sixty days from the date of receipt of his application] [Inserted by Act 4 of 2013 w.e.f. 11.02.2013.](3)If a question arises as to the eligibility or otherwise of a person to become a member or to continue as a member, the board shall decide the question after giving such person an opportunity of being heard. The decision of the board shall be final.
