Narendrasinh Rupsinh Chauhan vs State Of Gujarat on 6 September, 2021

[Cites 0, Cited by 2]

Gujarat High Court

Narendrasinh Rupsinh Chauhan vs State Of Gujarat on 6 September, 2021

Bench: A.Y. Kogje

    C/SCA/2331/2021                                                  ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021




            IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

           R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 2331 of 2021
                               With
  CIVIL APPLICATION (FOR FIXING DATE OF HEARING) NO. 1 of 2021
          In R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 2331 of 2021
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                       NARENDRASINH RUPSINH CHAUHAN
                                   Versus
                             STATE OF GUJARAT
=============================================
Appearance:
DR VENUGOPAL PATEL(7411) for the Petitioner(s) No. 1
MR DIPEN DESAI(2481) for the Petitioner(s) No. 1
MR. V.C. VAGHELA, ADVOCATE for ANIL H PATEL(7832) for the
Respondent(s) No. 10,7,9
MR. VIJAY H. PATEL, ADVOCATE assisted by MR. DARSHAN A DAVE for HL
PATEL ADVOCATES(2034) for the Respondent(s) No. 5,6,8
MR. BHARAT VYAS, AGP DS(5) for the Respondent(s) No. 1,2,3,4
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 CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.Y. KOGJE

                                    Date : 06/09/2021

                                        ORAL ORDER

1 . T h i s p e t i ti o n u n d e r A r t i c l e 2 2 6 o f t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n o f I n d i a i s f i l e d w i t h p r a y e r s a s u n d e r:

"21(A ) t h e H o n ' b l e C o u r t b e p le a s e d t o i s s u e a w r i t o f c e r t i o r a r i o r w r i t i n t h e n a t u r e o f c er t i o r a r i a n d / o r writ of mandamus or writ in the nature of mandamus o r an y o t h e r a p p r o p r i a t e w r i t , o r d e r o r d i r e c t i o n quashing and setting aside the wrongful inclusion of t h e n a m e s o f t h e m e m b er s o f t h e M a n a g i n g C o m m i t t e e of the respondent Nos.5 to 10 societies in the voters' l i s t o f ag r i c u l t u r a l c o n s t i t u e n c y f o r t h e e l e c t i o n s o f A g r i c u l t u r e P r o d u c e M ar k e t C o m m i t t e e , B a l a s i n o r an d be pleased to delete their names from the voters' list of agriculturist constituency for the elections of A g r i c u l t u r e P r o d u c e M ar k e t C o m m i t t e e , B a l a s i n o r."

2 . Learned Advocate for th e p e ti t i o n e r t h er e a f t e r m o v e d d r a f t a m e n d m e n t , b y w h i c h f o l l o w i n g p ra y e r i s a d d e d , w h i c h i s Page 1 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 as under:

"21(AA) This Hon'ble Court be pleased to issue writ of certiorari or writ in the nature of certiorari or any o t h e r a p p r o p r i a t e w r i t , d i r e c t i o n o r o r d er , q u a s h i n g a n d s e t t i n g a s i d e t h e i m p u g n e d o r d er d a t e d 0 2 0 2 2 0 2 1 passed by the Authorized Officer, annexed at Annexure H to this petition ."

3 . B r i e f f a c t s o f th e c a s e a r e t h a t t h e p e t i ti o n e r i s a n a g ri c u l t u r i s t . T h e p e t i ti o n e r i s a m e m b e r o f t h e M a n ag i n g Committee of The Shantiniketan Seva Sahakari Mandli Ltd., D u n g ri p u r a (Pandva) and in that c a pa c i t y is i n c l u d e d a t s e ri a l no . 1 0 3 i n t h e v o t e r s ' li s t f o r t h e e l ec t i o n s of Agriculture Produce M a r ke t Committee, B a l a s i n o r . T h e e le c t i o n s o f A g ri c u l t u r e P r o d u c e M a r k e t C o m m i t t e e , B a l a si n o r w a s d ec l a r e d b y t h e r e s po n d e n t n o . 2 D i r ec t o r o n 1 6 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0 , ac c o r d i n g t o w h i c h , th e p r e l i mi n a r y v o t e r s ' l i s t w a s p u b l i s h ed o n 0 2 . 0 1 . 2 0 2 1 , t h e p r o v i si o n a l v o t er s ' l i s t w a s p u b li s h e d o n 1 9 . 0 1 . 2 0 2 1 a nd f i na l vo t e r s ' li s t to b e p u b l i s h ed o n 0 2 . 0 2 . 2 0 2 1 .

4. The p r e l i mi n a r y voters' list was p u b l i s h ed by the respondent no.4Authorized Officer on 02.01.2021 and as f ar a s a g r i c u l t u r a l c o n s ti t u e n c y i s c o n c er n e d , t h e n a m e o f t h e s o c i e t y o f t h e p e t i t i o n e r w a s i nc l u d e d i n th e vo t e r s ' l i s t a n d t h e n a m e o f p e t i t i o n e r w a s i nc l u d e d a t S r . N o . 1 0 3 . H o w e v e r , t h e n a m e o f th e r e s p o n d e n t no s . 5 t o 1 0 s o c i e t i e s w e r e a l s o i nc l u d e d i n t h e v o t e r s ' li s t t h o u g h t h e y w e re n o t e li g i b l e . A s p e r S ec t i o n 1 1 ( 1 ) ( i ) o n l y a p ri m a r y a g ri c u l t u r a l c r e d i t c o o p e r a ti v e s o c i e t y c a n b e i nc l u d e d i n the voters' list of ag r i c u l t u r i s t c o n s t i t u e nc y . It is s u b m i t t e d th a t i n o r d e r to b ec o m e a p ri m a r y a g ri c u l t u r a l c r ed i t cooperative society, only a society which has a v a i l ed c r e d i t a s p e r t h r e e t i e r c r e d i t s t r uc t u r e c a n b e Page 2 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 c o n si d e r e d t o b e a p r i m ar y a g ri c u l t u r e c re d i t c o o p e r a ti v e s o c i e t y . I t i s s u b m i t t ed t h a t t h e r e s p o n d e n t n o s . 5 to 1 0 s o c i e t i e s h a v e n o t a v ai l e d a n y c r e d i t t o t h e t h r e e ti e r c r ed i t structure and have no t dispensed ag r i c u l t u r a l c r ed i t through th e th r e e tier c re d i t structure. The petitioner th e r ef o r e r ai s e d o b j ec t i o n s against th e w ro n g f u l i nc l u s i o n o f th e re s p o n d e n t n o s . 5 t o 1 0 s o c i e ti e s b ef o r e th e A u t h o r i z e d O f f i c e r o n 1 5 . 0 1 . 2 0 2 1 i n t e r a li a c o n t e n d i n g t h a t t h e s a i d s o c i e ti e s h a v e no t d i s p e n s e d a g ri c u l t u r a l c r e d i t t h ro u g h t h e t h r e e ti e r c r e d i t s t r u c t u r e a n d t h er e f o r e a r e no t e l i g i b l e t o b e i nc l u d e d i n th e v o t e r s ' list.

5 . P u r s u a n t to t h e o b j ec t i o n s ra i s e d b y t h e p e t i ti o n e r , t h e Authorized Officer issued notice to the respondent nos.5 to 10 societies on 16.01.2021. The hearing of the o b je c t i o n s w a s u n d e r t a k e n o n 1 7 . 0 1 . 2 0 2 1 a n d o n t h a t d a t e , t h e p e ti t i o n e r f u r t h er s u b m i t t e d i t s ' o b je c t i o n s a l o n g w i t h c e r ti f i c a t e o f th e K h ed a Di s t r i c t Co o p e r a ti v e B a n k L t d . D a t e d 2 8 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0 s h o w i n g t h e n a m e s o f th e s o c i e ti e s w h o h a v e a v a i l e d lo a n s th r o u g h t h e t h re e ti e r s t r u c t u r e . T h e s a i d l i s t o f so c i e t i e s d o e s n o t i nc l u d e t h e r e s p o n d e n t n o s . 5 t o 1 0 s o c i e ti e s . T h e p e t i t i o n e r a l s o r e l i e d u p o n j u d g m e n t s o f t h e H o n ' b le H i g h Co u r t o n t h e i s s u e t h a t only societies which are under the three t i er c r ed i t s t r u c t u r e c a n b e c o n s i d e r ed to b e p ri m a r y ag r i c u l t u r a l c r ed i t c o o p e r a t i v e s o c i e t y a nd c a n b e i n c l u d ed i n t h e voters' list.

6 . H o w e v e r , th e A u th o ri z e d O f f i c e r p u b l i s h ed th e p ro v i s i o n a l v o t e r s ' l i s t o n 1 9 . 0 1 . 2 0 2 1 w h er e i n , th e n a m e s o f th e respondent nos.5 to 10 societies are continued. the petitioner immediately inquired with th e Authorized O f f i c e r a s t o w h a t i s t h e d ec i si o n o n th e o b j e c ti o n r ai s e d Page 3 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 by th e p e ti t i o n e r . However, the Authorized Officer c o m p le t e l y r ef u s e d to g i v e a n y d e c i s i o n t o t h e p e t i ti o n e r . 7 . L e a r n e d a d v o c a t e M r . Di p e n D e s a i a p p e ar i n g f o r th e petitioner submits th a t the re s p o n d e n t nos.5 to 10 s o c i e t i e s a re i ne l i g i b l e t o c o n t i n u e i n t h e v o t e r s ' li s t i n view of the f ac t th a t even as per th e case of th e r e s p o n d e n t s , t h e re s p o n d e n t n o s . 5 t o 1 0 so c i e t i e s h a v e d i s p e n s e d a g ri c u l t u r a l c r e d i t f ro m t h e i r o w n f u n d s a n d n o t t h ro u g h t h e t h r e e ti e r c r e d i t s t r u c t u r e a n d th e r e f o r e , a s p e r th e s e t t l e d le g a l po s i t i o n i n v i ew o f t h e a m e n d m e n t i n t h e G u j a r a t A g r i c u l t u r e Pr o d u c e M ar k e t s A c t , 1 9 6 3 , t h e y ar e no t e li g i b l e t o b e i n c l u d e d i n th e v o t er s ' li s t . 8 . I t i s s ub m i t t e d t h a t a f t er f i l i n g o f th e p r e s e n t p e t i ti o n , the p e ti t i o n e r has r ec e i v e d copy of the order dated 0 2 . 0 2 . 2 0 2 1 p a s s e d b y th e re s p o n d e n t N o . 4 A u t h o r i z e d O f f i c e r re j e c ti n g t h e o b j ec t i o n s o f th e p e t i t i o n e r a g a i n s t t h e i nc l u s i o n o f r e s p o n d e n t N o s . 5 t o 1 0 s o c i e ti e s i n th e v o t e r s l i s t o f ag r i c u l t u r i s t c o n s ti t u e n c y f o r t h e e l e c ti o n o f A g ri c u l t u r e P r o d u c e M a r k e t C o m m i t t e e , B a l a s i n o r . It is submitted that the impugned o r d er passed by th e Authorized Officer is contrary to the well settled legal p o s i ti o n that primary agriculture credit cooperative s o c i e t y w o u l d b e o n e w h i c h h a s a v a i l ed a n d d i s p e n s e d c r ed i t u n d e r th e t h r e e t i e r c r e d i t s t r u c t u r e a n d so c i e t i e s w h i c h h a v e no t d i s p e n s e d a g ri c u l t u r a l c re d i t t h r o u g h t h r e e t i er c r e d i t s y s t e m , w o ul d no t b e e n ti t l e d t o b e i n c l u d e d i n th e v o t e r s li s t o f a g r i c u l t u ri s t c o n s ti t u e n c y . The judgment of this Hon'ble Co u r t in the case of B h e s a v a h i G r o u p V i v i d h K a r y a k a r i S e v a S ah a k a ri M a n d a l i Limited v/s. State of Gujarat c l e a rl y lays down the p r o p o si t i o n th a t o n l y t h o s e s o c i e ti e s w h i c h h a v e a v a i l e d a n d d i s p e n s e d a g ri c u l t u r a l c r e d i t t h ro u g h t h e t h r e e t i e r Page 4 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 s y s t e m w o u l d b e e li g i b l e t o b e i nc l u d e d i n t h e v o t e r s l i s t . H e s u b m i t s t h a t t h e A u t h o r i z e d O f f i c e r h a s ac t e d c o n t r ar y t o t h e w e ll s e t t l e d p o si t i o n a n d h a s c o m p l e t el y i g n o r e d t h e s ai d b i n d i n g j u d g m e n t t h o u g h t h e s a m e w a s c i t e d b ef o r e the Authorized Officer. The order of the A u t h o r i z e d O f f i c e r i s t h e r ef o re r eq u i r e d t o b e q u a s h e d a n d s e t a si d e .

9 . I t i s s ub m i t t e d t h a t t h e e l e c ti o n o f A g r i c u l t u r e P ro d u c e M a r k e t Co m m i t t e e , B a l a s i n o r w h i c h w as d e c l a r e d b y w a y o f e le c t i o n p ro g r a m d a t e d 1 6 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0 w as s t a ll e d b e c a u s e o f t h e s u d d e n o u t b r ea k o f C o v i d P a n d e m i c i n t h e s e c o n d w a v e a n d t h e e l ec t i o n w a s s t o p p e d f r o m M a r c h 2 0 2 1 . I t i s s u b m i t t e d t h a t t h e r ea f t e r , t h e r e s p o n d e n t N o . 2 D i r ec t o r by way of r e vi s e d sc h e d u l e dated 28.07.2021 has restarted the e l ec t i o n and as per the said revised schedule, v o ti n g is to take p l ac e on 08.09.2021. T h er e f o r e , t h e p e t i ti o n e r m a y b e g r a n t e d u rg e n t r el i e f c o n si d e ri n g th a t th e el e c ti o n i s u n d e rw a y .

10. I t i s f u r t h e r s u b m i t t e d t h a t i n t h e p r e s e n t c a s e , th e r e s p o n d e n t N o s . 5 t o 1 0 s o c i e ti e s h a v e a d m i t t e d l y n o t d i s p e n s e d a g r i c u l t u r a l c r e d i t t h r o u g h t h r ee ti e r c r e d i t s t r u c t u r e . T h e r e s p o n d e n t N o s . 5 t o 1 0 i n t h ei r r e s p e c ti v e a f f i d a v i t s h a v e c l e a rl y a d m i t t ed t h a t t h e so c i e t i e s h a v e c r ed i t e d t h ei r o w n f u n d s b y ac c e p t i n g d e p o s i t s f r o m t h e i r m e m b e r s a n d f ro m s u c h f u n d s h a v e g r a n t e d lo a n t o t h e members of the society. O ne such a v er m e n t is at p a r a g r a p h N o . 3 . 4 p a g e 8 6 t o 8 8 o f t h e a f f i d a v i t i n re p l y . T h er e f o r e , i t i s a d m i t t e d p o s i ti o n t h a t th e r e s p o n d e n t N o s . 5 t o 1 0 s o c i e ti e s h a v e n o t d i s p e n s e d a g ri c u l t u r a l c r ed i t t h r o u g h th r e e t i e r c re d i t s t r uc t u r e a n d h e nc e , t h e y a r e n o t e l i g i b l e t o b e i nc l u d e d i n t h e v o t e r s l i s t o f a g ri c u l t u r i s t c o n s t i t u e nc y . T h e p r i v a t e re s p o n d e n t s h a v e Page 5 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 s t a t e d t h a t t h e b y e l a w s o f t h e s o c i e t y p ro v i d e t h a t t h e society can credit funds from their own s o u rc e s by a c c e p t i n g d e p o si t s h o w e v e r , t h e s a m e d o e s n o t m e a n th a t c r ed i t s t r u c t u r e p r o v i d ed i n S ec t i o n 2 (7 A ) i s g i v e n a g o b y e . T h e so c i e t y m a y c r e a t e i s o w n f u n d s b u t i n o r d er t o m a k e t h e m el i g i b l e f o r b e i n g i n c l u d e d i n th e a g ri c u l t u r i s t c o n s ti t u e n c y , t h e s o c i e t y m u s t h a v e d i s p e n s ed a g ri c u l t u r a l c r ed i t t h r o u g h th r e e t i e r c re d i t s t r u c t u r e a s h a s b e e n h e l d b y th i s H o n ' b l e Co u r t i n ab o v e r e f er r e d j u d g m e n t s . 1 1 . I t i s s ub m i t t e d t h a t n o re a s o n w h a t s o e v e r h a s b e e n g i v e n b y th e A u t h o r i z e d O f f i c e r i n th e i m p u g n e d o r d e r a n d t h e i m p u g n e d o r d e r i s a b so l u t e l y c r y p t i c a n d no n e o f t h e c o n t e n t i o n s ra i s e d b y t h e p e t i ti o n e r ar e d e al t w i th a n d i t i s n o t e v e n re c o r d e d a s t o w h e th e r t h e A u t h o ri z e d O f f i c e r has verified the d e t ai l s of the a g ri c u l t u r a l credit d i s p e n s e d b y t h e r e s po n d e n t N o s . 5 to 1 0 s o c i e t i e s a n d m ec h a n i c a l l y t h e o b j ec t i o n s r ai s e d b y th e p e ti t i o n e r a r e r ej e c t e d .

1 2 . I t i s s ub m i t t e d t h a t p r o v i si o n a l v o t e r s l i s t w a s p u b li s h e d on 19.01.2021, whereas final li s t was p u b li s h e d on 0 2 . 0 2 . 2 0 2 1 . R u l e 8 (1 A ) p r o v i d e s t h a t af t e r th e r e v i s e d draft list for voters ( p r o v i si o n a l list of v o t er s ) is p u b li s h e d by the Authorized Officer, the A u th o ri z e d O f f i c er sh a l l c al l f o r o b j e c ti o n s a g ai n s t t h e n e w n a m e s e n t e r ed i n t h e r e vi s e d d r a f t li s t . T h e r e f o r e , o nl y t h o se o b j ec t i o n s can be re c ei v e d and considered by the A u th o r i z ed O f f i c er w h i c h a r e n ew n a m e s e n t e r e d i n t h e r e vi s e d d ra f t li s t ( p r o v i si o n a l vo t e r s l i s t ) . I n th e p r e s e n t c a s e , t h e A u th o ri z e d O f f i c e r h a s p a s s e d t h e i m p u g n e d o r d e r o n 0 2 . 0 2 . 2 0 2 1 i . e . a t t h e t i m e o f p u b li c a t i o n o f f i n a l l i s t o f v o t e r s . M ea n i n g t h e r e b y h e h a s c o n s i d e re d t h e o b j ec t i o n s a f t er t h e r e vi s e d d r af t li s t o f v o t e r s i s Page 6 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 p u b li s h e d . T h e A u t h o r i z e d O f f i c e r h a d n o j u ri s d i c t i o n t o consider any o b j ec t i o n w i th regards to the names i nc l u d e d i n t h e f i r s t l i s t o f v o t e r s ( p r e l i mi n a r y l i s t o f v o t e r s ) a n d h e nc e , t h e o r d e r p a s s ed b y t h e A u th o ri z e d O f f i c er is c l e a rl y w i th o u t j u r i s d i c ti o n and without a u t h o r i t y o f l aw .

13. L e a r n e d A s s i s t a n t G o v e r n m e n t P l e ad e r ap p e a r i n g f o r r e s p o n d e n t S t a t e s u b m i t t e d t h a t t h e m a i n g ri e v a n c e o f t h e w ri t a p p l i c a n t i s i n r eg a r d t o d i s p e n s a ti o n o f a g ri c u l t u r a l c r ed i t m u s t b e m a d e a s p e r th e Co o p e r a ti v e S tr u c t u r e g i v e n u / s 2 ( 7 A ) t h e G u j a r a t Co o p e r a ti v e S o c i e t i e s A c t , 1 9 6 1 , b y w h i c h d i s p e n s a t i o n m u s t b e m ad e f r o m t h e C e n t r a l / Di s t r i c t C o o p er a t i v e B a n k a n d S t a t e C o o p e r a ti v e Bank. A nd i n t h a t r e g a rd r e li e d o n th e ( 1 ) B h e s a v a h i G r o u p Vi v i d h K a r y a k a r i S e v a S ah k a r M a n d li L t d . , v / s . S t a t e o f G u j a r a t (S C A 2 1 2 8 o f 2 0 1 6 ) r e p o r t e d i n 2 0 1 6 J X (Guj) 946, & (2) in case of Rampura Seva Sahakari M a n d li L t d T h r u C h ai r m a n H a s m u k h b h a i A m b a l a l P a t e l v / s . A u t h o r i z e d O f f i c e r a n d E l ec t i o n O f f i c e r ( M a r k e ti n g ) , r e p o r t ed i n 2 0 1 9 J X ( G u j ) 1 5 4 . I n r e g ar d t o th e a b o v e i t i s s u b m i t t e d th a t i n the present case, the Respondent No. 5 to 10 Societies were Primary Agriculture Societies and dispensing the agricultural credit to their members from their own funds and accumulations, and same is reflecting in their bylaws. Thus, as per section 11(1)(i), of the Gujarat Agricultural Produce and Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 1963, the Respondent No. 5 to 10 is the "Primary Agriculture Credit Cooperative Societies. Also they falls under the Cooperative structure, but dispensing of Agriculture credit to its Members from their own funds, which in consonance with the by laws of the respective societies, therefore, the Respondent No. 5 to 10, societies is falls under the Primary Agriculture Credit Societies, and falls under the cooperative 3 tier structure, but only dispensing of Page 7 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 agriculture credit at their own funds, does not debar the societies to be included in voter list as per section 11(1)(i) of the Gujarat Agricultural Produce and Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 1963. T h a t a f t er the amendment Act, 2015, the dispensation of A g ri c u l t u r e c r e d i t i n t h e m a r k e t a r ea i s a n e s s e n t i a l f ac t o r . A n d f o r th a t re l y i n g o n th e j ud g m e n t d a t e d 15.03.2016 r e n d er in case of Shree Abhay Gpalak Vividh Karyakari Sahkari Mandli L td v/s. State of G u j a r a t , b e f o r e t h i s H o n ' b l e H i g h C o u r t i n S p e ci a l Application No. 2000 of 2016 & allied matter (Para 25 t o 3 1 ) . I n w h i c h i t i s el a b o r a t e l y s t a t e d t h e d i s p e n si n g o f A g ri c u l t u r a l c r e d i t .

1 4 . I t i s s ub m i t t e d t h a t t h e P e t i t i o n e r h a v e a al t e r n a t i v e r e m ed y u n d e r th e R u l e 2 8 o f th e G u j a r a t A g r i c u l t u r a l P ro d u c e Ma r k e t s Rules, 1965.- FB J ud g m e n t - D a h e d a Gr o u p S ev a S a h k a r i M a n d l i L i m i t ed v /s . R . D . R o h i t , A u t h or i z e d O f fi c e r and C o o p er a t i v e O f fi c e r ( M a r k e t i n g ) r ep o r t e d i n ( 2 0 0 6 G C D 1 2 1 1 ) J ud g m e n t of coordinate B e n ch - 1 ) SCA 6383 OF 2020 d t.

       21.08.2020)                 2 ) S C A 1 1 8 2 2 O F 2 0 1 9 D T. . 2 5 . 1 1 . 2 0 1 9 ,
       3)     LPA        383        OF        2018     IN      SC A      3167       OF       2018       D T.
       19.04.2018.
  15.             Learned          ad v o c a t e    Mr.       V.C.Vaghela           a p p e a ri n g     on

b e h a l f o f re s p o n d e n t N o s . 7 , 9 a nd 1 0 s u b mi t t e d th a t r e s p o n d e n t N o s . 7 t o 9 s o c i e ti e s ar e p ri m a r y ag r i c u l t u r e c r ed i t c o o p e r a ti v e s o c i e t i e s d i s p e n s i ng a g ri c u l t u r e c r e d i t i n t h e m a r k e t ar e a . T h e b y e la w s o f th e so c i e t y p r o d u c e d b y th e d e p o n e n t a t p g . n o . 1 7 8 p r o vi d e s as to h o w t h e s o c i e t y c a n ra i s e f u n d s t o p r o v i d e lo a n s to i t s m e m b er s . I t i s p ro v i d e d i n t h e b y e l a w s t h a t t h e f u n d s c a n b e ra i s e d f ro m sh a r e s , d e p o s i t s , lo a n s , g i f t s a n d a d m i s si o n f e e . I t i s s u b m i t t e d t h a t d u e to po l i ti c a l r e a so n s th e d i s t r i c t c o Page 8 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 o p e r a ti v e b a n k h a s no t a d mi t t e d th e d e p o n e n t so c i e t i e s a s m e m b e r s o f t h e D i s t r i c t Co o p e r a t i v e B a n k a n d th e r e f o r e it was necessary for the deponent society to create funds f ro m o t h er s o u r c e s . T h e re s p o n d e n t N o s . 7 t o 9 so c i e t i e s t h e r ef o r e i n v i t ed d e p o s i t s f ro m i t s m e m b er s a n d af t e r h a v i n g o b t ai n e d d e po s i t s g ra n t e d l o a n s to i t s m e m b e r s . T h er e f o r e , t h e r e s po n d e n t N o s . 7 to 9 so c i e t i e s a r e p r i m a r y a g ri c u l t u r e credit c o o pe r a t i v e so c i e t i e s dispensing a g ri c u l t u r e credit to its members as p ro v i d e d under s e c ti o n 1 1 ( 1 ) (i ) o f t h e a c t .

1 6 . It i s s u b mi t t e d th a t se c t i o n 1 1 p ro v i d e s t h a t o n l y pr i m a r y ag r i c u l t u r e c r ed i t c o o p e r a ti v e societies d i s p e n s i ng ag r i c u l t u r e c r ed i t s h a l l b e a d m i t t e d a s v o t e r s . I t d o e s n o t p ro v i d e t h a t t h e d i s p e n s a ti o n o f a g r i c u l t u r e c re d i t s h o u l d b e o n l y t h ro u g h 3 t i e r c r e d i t s t r u c t u r e . T h e c o nd i t i o n s la i d d o w n i n s e c ti o n 1 1 (1 ) ( i ) i s t h a t th e s o c i e t y s h o u l d b e p ri m a r y ag r i c u l t u r e c r e d i t c o o p e r a ti v e s o c i e t y d i s p e n s i ng ag r i c u l t u r e c r e d i t . T h e d e po n e n t s o c i e ti e s ar e p r i m a r y ag r i c u l t u r e c r ed i t c o o p e r a ti v e s o c i e t y a n d a r e d i s p e n s i ng ag r i c u l t u r e c r e d it.

1 7 . T h e c o n t e n t i o n o f t h e P e ti t i o n e r t h a t t h e a u t h o ri z e d o f f i c e r d i d n o t d ec i d e t h e o b j e c ti o n a t th e s t a g e o f p u b li c a ti o n o f p ro v i s i o n al li s t i s a l s o i nc o r r ec t b e c a u s e t h e o b j ec t i o n w a s f i l e d o n 1 5 / 0 1 / 2 0 2 1 a n d a s p e r t h e e le c t i o n p ro g r a m m e d t h e p r o v i si o n a l v o t e r s l i s t w a s to b e p u b li s h e d o n 1 9 / 0 1 / 2 0 2 1 t h er e f o r e th e o b j ec t i o n o f th e P e ti t i o n e r w a s c o n s i d e r e d b y th e a u t h o r i z e d o f f i c e r a n d t h e h e a r i n g o f t h e o b j ec t i n g w a s f i le d o n 1 7 / 0 1 / 2 0 2 1 . T h e o b j ec t o r c o u l d n o t sa t i s f i e d t h e a u t h o ri z e d o f f i c e r w i t h r e g a rd t o i t s o b j ec t i o n a n d t h e re f o r e t h e a u t h o r i z e d officer continued the names of the deponent societies in t h e p r o v i si o n a l v o t er s l i s t p u b l i s h ed o n 1 9 / 0 1 / 2 0 2 1 . O n c e Page 9 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 t h e a u t h o r i z e d o f f i c er h a v i n g n o t ac c e p t e d th e o b j ec t i o n o f t h e P e t i t i o n e r t h e g r i e v a nc e i f a n y o f t h e o b j ec t o r c o u l d b e r e d re s s e d o n l y b y w a y o f e l e c ti o n p e t i ti o n u n d e r r u l e 2 8 o f t h e A P M C , R u l e s . T h e re f o r e , t h e P e t i ti o n e r s r e m ed y u n d e r r ul e 2 8 o f t h e A P MC , R u l e s .

18. T h e P e ti t i o n e r s c o n t e n t i o n s t h a t t h e o r d er o f t h e a u t h o ri z e d o f f i c er is without jurisdiction is incorrect b ec a u s e t h e a u t h o r i z e d o f f i c e r h a s d ec i d ed t h e o b j ec t i o n o f t h e P e ti t i o n e r a n d h a v e g i v e n a f i n d i n g o f f ac t . I f th e P e t i t i o n e r i s a g g ri e v e d b y t h e o r d er o f t h e a u t h o r i z e d o f f i c e r th e n t h e P e ti t i o n e r i s r ai s i n g a d i s p u t e d q ue s t i o n o f f ac t a n d th e d i s p u t e d q u e s ti o n o f f a c t s m a y n o t b e decided in a w ri t p e ti t i o n u n d e r a r t i c l e 2 2 6 of the C o n s t i t u t i o n o f I n d i a b u t i t c a n b e d e c i d e d i n a n E l e c ti o n Petition under Rule28. T h e r ef o r e , th e Pe t i t i o n e r s c o n t e n ti o n th a t th e a u th o r i z ed officer has travelled beyond his j u ri s d i c t i o n is i nc o r r ec t . The a u t h o ri z e d o f f i c e r h a s e x e rc i s e t h e p o w e r s v e s t e d i n h i m a n d h a v e d e c i d e d th e o b j e c ti o n o f t h e Pe t i t i o n e r a n d t h er e f o r e n o e x t r a o rd i n a r y c as e h a s b e e n m a d e o u t b y t h e P e ti t i o n e r f o r i n t e r f er e n c e b y th i s H o n ' b l e c o u r t .

19. Learned ad v o c a t e Mr. Vijay Patel appearing for r e s po n d e n t Nos.5,6 a nd 8 s u b mi t t e d that Hon'ble Supreme Court has held in case of Shri Sant Satguru Ja n a r d a n Swami (Moingiri Maharaj) SahkariDugdhUtpadak Sanstha and Ors. reported in 2 0 0 1 ( 8 ) S C C 5 0 9 t h a t b r ea c h o f o r n o n c o m p li a n c e o f m a n d a to r y p r o v i si o n w i t h r u l e s d u r i n g th e p r e p a r a ti o n o f e le c t o ra t e ro l l c a n b e c h a l l e ng e d i n el e c ti o n p e ti t i o n u n d e r t h e p r o v i si o n s o f M ah a r a s t ra Co o p e r a t i v e S o c i e t y A c t . I t i s f u r th e r h e l d t h a t w h e r e , a n e le c t i o n p ro c e s s h a s s t a r t ed , d i s p u t e s h a s t o b e a g i t a t ed b y w a y o f el e c t i o n Page 10 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 p e ti t i o n o nl y a n d t h a t p r e p ar a t i o n o f v o t er s l i s t i s a p ar t o f e l ec t i o n p r o c e s s v o t er s li s t f o r c o n s t i t u t i n g a m a n a g i n g committee of a specified society and such disputed can be r e so l v e d b y w a y o f e l e c ti o n p e t i t i o n .

2 0 . H e ar d l e a r n ed a d v o c a t e s f o r t h e p a r t i e s a nd p e r u s e d t h e documents p l ac e d on re c o r d . It appears th a t the P e ti t i o n e r h a s r el i e d u p o n th e j u d g m e n t d e li v e r e d i n S C A N o . 2 1 2 8 o f 2 0 1 6 a n d al l i e d m a t t e r s w h e r e i n th e o b j e c ti o n w a s r a i s ed ag a i n s t t h e s o c i e t i e s w h i c h w er e n o t p ri m a r y ag r i c u l t u r e c r e d i t c o o p e r a ti v e so c i e t i e s a n d th e lo a n t r a n s ac t i o n s h o w n b y th e sa i d s o c i e t i e s w e r e b o g u s a n d sh a m . T h e a u t h o r i z e d o f f i c er f o u n d s u b s t a n c e i n t h e o b j ec t i o n a n d t h e r e b y d e l e t e d t h e n a m e s o f t h e s o c i e t y a s n o t b ei n g p r i m a r y ag r i c u l t u r e c r e d i t c o o p e ra t i v e so c i e t i e s and the dispensation of ag r i c u l t u r e c re d i t being not genuine. T h e r ef o r e , t h e s a i d s o c i e t i e s c h a l l e n g e d th e o r d e r o f th e a u t h o ri z e d o f f i c er b ef o r e th e H o n ' b l e H i g h Co u r t a n d t h e c o o r d i n a t e b e n c h o f t h i s H o n 'b l e c o u r t h a s u p h e ld the d e c i si o n of the a u t h o ri z e d o f f i c er and d i s m i s s e d t h e P e t i ti o n o n m e ri t s s ta t i n g t h a t t h e d e c i s i o n o f t h e a u t h o ri z e d o f f i c er d o e s no t w ar r a n t i n t e rf e r e n c e . W h i l e d i s m i s s i n g t h e P e t i ti o n s t h e H o n ' b l e C o u r t al s o came to th e conclusion that the societies were not p ri m a r y a g ri c u l t u r e c r e d i t c o o p er a t i v e s o c i e ti e s a n d th e d i s p e n s a t i o n o f ag r i c u l t u r e c r e d i t sh o w n b y t h e m w a s b o g u s a n d sh a m . T h e sa m e j u d g m e n t w a s c h a l le n g e d i n a p p e al b ef o r e th e d i vi s i o n b e n c h a n d e v e n t h e d i v i si o n b e n c h c o nc u r r e d w i t h th e f i n d i n g s g i v e n b y t h e L d . S i n g l e j u d g e a n d f u r th e r h e l d t h a t t h e c h a l l e ng e to t h e e x c l u s i o n o r i n c l u s i o n c a n b e m a d e o n l y af t e r t h e e l e c ti o n s a r e o v e r i n a n e l ec t i o n p e t i t i o n u n d e r r u l e 2 8 o f t h e r u l e s .

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C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 2 1 . T h e s ec o n d j u d g m e n t re l i e d b y t h e P e ti t i o n e r w a s S C A N o . 3 8 0 1 o f 2 0 1 9 a n d al l i e d m a t t e r s w h e r e i n al s o t h e c o o r d i n a t e b e nc h r e l y i n g o n t h e j u d g m e n t r e n d er e d i n S C A N o . 2 1 2 8 o f 2 0 1 6 d i s mi s s e d t h e P e t i t i o n w i t h a f i n d i n g t h a t n o e x t r a o r d i n a r y c a se h a s b e e n m a d e o u t b y the P e ti t i o n e r t h er e f o r e th e P e ti t i o n w as dismissed. W h e re a s i n th e p r e se n t P e t i ti o n t h e o b j ec t o r h a s r ai s e d a n o b j ec t i o n t h a t t h e d i s p e n s a ti o n o f a g r i c u l t u r e c re d i t b y t h e d e po n e n t s o c i e ti e s i s n o t u n d e r 3 t i r e s t r u c t u r e . S e c t i o n 1 1 ( 1 ) (i ) n o w h e r e p r o v i d e s t h a t t h e d i s p e n s a t i o n of a g ri c u l t u r e c r ed i t should only be under 3 ti r e s t r uc t u r e . It only p r o vi d e s that there s h o u ld be d i s p e n s a t i o n o f ag r i c u l t u r e credit. Th e r e f o r e t h e a u t h o ri z e d officer while deciding the o b j e c ti o n found that the dispensation of ag r i c u l t u r e c re d i t by th e deponent so c i e t i e s i s g e n u i n e a n d th e r ef o r e d i d n o t a c c e p t t h e o b j ec t i o n o f t h e P e t i t i o n e r . H a v i ng f ai l e d b e f o r e t h e a u t h o r i z e d o f f i c er t h e P e ti t i o n e r s h a v e f i l e d t h e p r e s e n t c a s e s t a ti n g t h a t t h e d e p o n e n t s o c i e ti e s a r e n o t p r i m a r y ag r i c u l t u r e c r ed i t c o o p e ra t i v e s o c i e ti e s and have not dispensed agriculture credit under 3 tire system and the o r d e r o f th e a u t h o r i z e d o f f i c er i s w i th o u t j u ri s d i c t i o n . T h e a u t h o ri z e d o f f i c e r h a s r e j ec t e d t h e o b j ec t i o n a t t h e s t ag e of publication of p r o v i si o n a l voters list and therefore there is no i l le g a li t y c o m mi t t e d by the a u t h o r i z e d o f f i c e r . T h e r e f o r e t h e q u e s t i o n w i th r e g ar d t o d i s p e n s a t i o n o f ag r i c u l t u r e c r e d i t i f a t a l l q u e s t i o n e d b y t h e P e ti t i o n e r t h a t i t i s a d i s p u t e d q u e s t i o n o f f ac t a n d therefore the present petition is n o t r e q u i r ed to be e n t e r t ai n e d . The a u t h o ri z e d officer has come to the conclusion that the o b j e3 c t i o n ra i s e d by o b j ec t o r is i nc o rr e c t a n d t h e s o c i e ti e s h a v e d i s p e n s e d ag r i c u l t u r e Page 12 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 credit.

22. The m ai n contention r a i se d ab o u t 'Primary A g ri c u l t u r e C r e d i t Co o p e r a ti v e S o c i e t y ' i s b a s e d o n t h e A m e n d m e n t b ro u g h t i n S e c ti o n 1 1 o f A P M C A c t , 1 9 6 3 , w h e r e P h r a s e " P r i m a r y A g ri c u l t u r e C r e d i t Co o p e r a ti v e S o c i e t y ' w a s i n s e r t e d i n t h i s se c t i o n . T h e ar g u m e n t i s a l so b a s e d o n t h e d e c i s i o n o f th e C o u r t i n a g r o u p o f p e t i t i o n b ei n g S p e ci a l C i v i l A p p l i c a t i o n N o . 2 0 0 0 o f 2 0 1 6 & a l l i e d m a t t e r s i n c a s e o f " SHREE ABHAY GOPALAK VIVIDH KARYAKARI SAHAKARI MANDALI LIMITED v/s. STATE OF G U J A R A T " d a t e d 1 5 0 3 2 0 1 6 . O n b a si s o f t h i s j u d g m e n t , i t i s c o n t e n d e d t h a t to r ec o g n i z e as s o c i e t y a s P ri m a r y A g ri c u l t u r e C r e d i t Co o p e r a ti v e S o c i e t y , t h e p a r a m e t e r s i s t h e 3 t i e r P a t t e r n o f Cr e d i t d i s p e n s a ti o n .

23. T h e c lo s e r lo o k a t th e a f o r e m e n t i o n ed j u d g m e n t d o e s no t i n d i c a t e so . I t a p p e a r s th e a t t e m p t i n t h a t petition was to include Co o p e r a t i v e Credit Society i n v o l v e d i n d ai r y f r a mi n g a c ti v i t y i n t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f P r i m a r y A g r i c u l t u r e C r e d i t C o o pe r a t i v e S o c i e t y , P a ra 7 & 8 of the judgment reads as under:

"7. The controversy in the present group of petitions is concerning preparation of voters list for the first constituency falling within section 11(1) (i) i.e. as r e g a r d s e l e c t i o n o f e i g h t a g r i c u l t u r i s t s w h o w i l l be t h e m em b e r s o f t h e m a r k e t c o m m i t t e e w i t h o t h e r m em b e r s t o b e e l e c t e d a n d n o m i n a t ed a s pr o v i d e d i n s e c t i o n 1 1 t o c o n s t i t u t e t h e m ar k e t c o m m i t t e e .

8.As per section 11(1)(i) of the Act before it was amended by Amendment Act, 2015, except the cooperative marketing s o c i e t i e s a n d c o o p e r a t i v e m i l k pr o d u c i n g societies dispensing cooperative agricultural societies, credit all were entitled to elect eight agriculturists to be Page 13 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 t h e m e m b e r s o f M a r k e t C o m m i t t e e . N o w , b y A m en d m e n t Act, 2015, clause (I) of section 11(1) is substituted by new clause (i) whereunder it is provided that eight agriculturists whose names are enlisted in the voters' list published by the Election Commission of India for the m a r k e t a r e a s h a l l b e e l e c t ed b y m e m b e r s o f m a n a g i n g committee of the primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies dispensing agricultural credit in the market a r e a . T h u s , o n l y P r i m a r y A g r i c u l t u r a l C r ed i t C o o p e r a t i v e S o c i e t i e s a r e m ad e en t i t l e d t o e l e c t e i g h t a g r i c u l t u r i s t s . "

24. T h er e a f t er , this Co u r t has s t a t ed in P ar a 1 6 as under:

16. The Court, having heard the learned advocates for the p a r t i e s , f i n d s t h a t t h e l eg i s l a t u r e h a s p r o v i d e d f o r c o n s t i t u t i o n o f m a r k e t c o m m i t t e e b y r e pr e s e n t a t i v e s o f d i f f e r e n t c l a s s e s . F i r s t a m o n g s t t h em i s s e l e c t i o n o f e i g h t a g r i c u l t u r i s t s b y e le c t i o n a s p e r s e c t i o n 1 1 ( 1 ) ( i ) o f t h e Act by the cooperative societies of the type provided in section 11(1) (i) of the Act. Section 11(1)(i) as it originally stood permitted all cooperative societies d i s p e n s i n g a g r i c u l t u r a l c r e d i t , t o el e c t e i g h t a g r i c u l t u r i s t s a n d f o r s u c h p u r p o s e , t h e m em b e r s o f t h e i r m an a g i n g committee formed electorate on their inclusion in the v o t e r s ' l i s t pr e p a r e d a s pr o v i d e d i n t h e R u l e s . I n t h e ye a r 2 0 0 6 , t h e l e g i s l a t u r e d e b a r r ed t h e c o o p e r a t i v e m a r k e t i n g societies and Milk Produce Cooperative Societies from being part of the electorate to elect eight agriculturists.

It appears that at the time of election of Agriculture P r o d u c e M ar k e t C o m m i t t e e , S i d d h p u r s o m e w h e r e i n t h e year 2010, dispute had arisen as to whether the Milk Producing Cooperative Societies could be included in the voters' list of agriculturists' constituency on exclusion of a n i m a l h u s b a n d r y a n d a n i m a l h u s b a n d r y p r o d u c t s fr o m t h e s c h e d u l e o f ag r i c u l t u r e p r o d u c e . T h e o b j e c t o r w h o s e a p p l i c a t i o n w a s t u r n ed d ow n a g a i n s t i n c l u s i o n o f M i l k P r o d u c i n g S o c i e t i e s i n v o t e r s ' l i s t h a d pr e f e r r ed s p e c i a l civil application no.13689 of 2009 before this Court and Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court held that since the a n i m a l h u s b a n d r y a n d a n i m a l h u s b a n d r y pr o d u c t s w e r e taken out from the schedule of agricultural produce, the s o c i e t i e s d e a l i n g w i t h t h e a n i m a l h u s b a n d r y a n d an i m a l husbandry products could not form part of the electorate................

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C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021

25. The Court then proceeded with note of approval to the submissions made on behalf of the State in Para25 as under:

"25. In the context of the Act, it appears that the insertion of primary agricultural credit by Amendment Act of 2015 in section 11(1)(i) is to make clear the intention of the legislature that it is only the societies which have their main object to do principal business of providing financial assistance to their members for agricultural purpose or for the activities connected with the agriculture will be entitled to elect 8 agriculturists from the agriculturists constituency and to make such intention more clear, the words 'agricultural credit' are repeated in the phrase "primary agricultural credit'. As rightly submitted by the learned Addl. A.G. Mr. Jani that the Amendment Act of 2015 has changed entire scenario. The Court finds that in view of the Amendment Act, 2015, judgment rendered in the case of Rameshbhai Ganeshbhai Chaudhari (supra) could not be of any help to the petitioners. Therefore, even if the classification done by the Registrar is not to be resorted to determine whether a particular society is primary agricultural credit society or not, the intention of the societies could be well gathered from their bye laws whether their main object is to do principal business of providing financial accommodation for agricultural purposes or for the purposes connected with the agriculture activities."

26. U l t i m a t e l y , i n P a r a 2 8 , t h e Co u r t h a s h e l d a s u n d e r :

" 2 8 . W h en s e c . 1 1 ( 1 ) ( i ) n o w r e q u i r e s o n l y p r i m a r y a g r i c u l t u r a l c r ed i t c o o p e r a t i v e s o c i e t i e s d i s p e n s i n g c r ed i t i n t h e m a r k e t ar e a t o e l e c t 8 ag r i c u l t u r i s t s f o r the purpose of constitution of market area, it is in f u r t h e r an c e o f t h e o b j e c t o f t h e A c t a n d , t h er e f o r e , o n l y t h o s e s o c i e t i e s w i t h pr i m e o b j e c t o f p r o v i d i n g a g r i c u l t u r a l c r ed i t c o u l d b e s a i d t o be e l i g i b l e t o b e included in the voters list. It is therefore not possible t o a c c e p t t h e a r g u m en t o f t h e l e a r n ed a d v o c a t e s f o r t h e petitioners societies that the Amendment Act 2015 has widened horizon to include all agricultural cooperative s o c i e t i e s d i s p e n s i n g a g r i c u l t u r a l c r ed i t s . I f a l l s o c i e t i e s w i t h o n e o f t h e o b j e c t s o f d i s p e n s i n g ag r i c u l t u r a l c r e d i t are intended to be included without any exception, t h e r e w a s n o t h e w or d s " p r i m a r y , a g r i c u l t u r a l , n e e d t o incorporate credit" before the words "cooperative societies" in section 11(1)(i) of the Act. The words "primary agriculture credit" therefore do not meant to b e r e ad a s a s i m p l e ad j e c t i v e n o u n w i t h o u t a n y m e an i n g . T h e l e g i s l a t u r e d o n o t a m en d t h e l aw s j u s t t o b e a u t i f y t h e l a n g u a g e . U s e o f t h e w or d s " a g r i c u l t u r e Page 15 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 c r ed i t " o n c e a g a i n w h i l e a m e n d i n g s e c t i o n 1 1 ( 1 ) ( i ) o f the Act by Amendment Act of 2015, and prefixing word "primary" before the words, "agricultural credit" makes t h e i n t en t i o n o f t h e l eg i s l a t u r e m o r e c l e ar t o g i v e u n e q u i v o c a l i n d i c a t i o n t h a t n on e e x c e p t t h e s o c i e t i e s which have prime object to do principal business of advancing finance for agricultural purpose and for the purposes connected with the agriculture activities could be included in the voters' list for first constituency."

27. I n v i e w o f t h e af o r e sa i d , C o u r t i s o f t h e o pi n i o n t h a t t h e j u d g m e n t o f t h i s Co u r t i n c a s e o f SHREE ABHAY G O P A L A K ( s u p r a ) , d o e s no t s u p p o r t t h e c o n t e n t i o n o f t h e p e t i t i o n e r t h a t th e o n l y o r e f f e c ti v e p a r a m e t e r s to d ec i d e t h e c h a r ac t e r o f P r i m a r y A g ri c u l t u r e C r e d i t Co o p e r a ti v e S o c i e t y i s d i s p e n s i n g o f c r ed i t i n T h r e e t i e r s y s t e m a nd t h a t s u c h d ef i n i ti o n w i l l h a v e ap p l i c a t i o n t o t h e f ac t s o f eh case. At th i s stage, it w o ul d be a p p r o p ri a t e to r e p r o d u c e o n l y r el e v a n t p a r a f r o m A f f i d a v i t o f o n e s u c h respondent Cr e d i t Society, as the Affidavits of ea c h R e s po n d e n t C r e d i t S o c i e t y i s al m o s t i d e n t i c a l a n d h a v e remain unconverted.

" 3 . 3 T h e d e p o n en t s t a t e s t h a t S e c t i o n 1 1 ( 1 ) ( i ) p r o v i d e s t h a t 10 agriculturists having land such are to be elected by t h e m e m b e r s o f m a n ag i n g c o m m i t t e e o f p r i m a r y a g r i c u l t u r a l c r ed i t c o o p e r a t i v e s o c i e t i e s d i s p e n s i n g a g r i c u l t u r a l c r ed i t i n t h e m a r k e t a r e a . I t i s s u b m i t t e d t h a t t h e d e p o n e n t s o c i e t y h a s be e n r e g i s t e r e d i n t h e y e a r 2 0 1 4 an d s i n c e t h en i t i s d i s p e n s i n g a g r i c u l t u r a l c r e d i t . It is submitted that in the last election of APMC, Balasinor the names of members of managing committee o f d ep o n e n t s o c i e t y w a s i n c l u d e d i n t h e v o t e r s l i s t o f B a l a s i n o r A PM C a n d t h e m e m b er s o f t h e s o c i e t y h ad t ak e n part in the election and no one had raised objection a g a i n s t t h e i n c l u s i o n o f n am e s o f t h e d e p o n e n t s o c i e t y i n t h e v o t e r s l i s t o f ag r i c u l t u r i s t c o n s t i t u e n c y f o r B a l a s i n o r constituency.

3.4 It is submitted that society is dispensing agricultural credit every year to the members of the society. It is s u b m i t t e d t h a t by e l aw s o f t h e s o c i e t y a r e r e g i s t e r e d a n d b y e l aw n o . 4 ( 1 ) o f t h e b y e l a w s pr o v i d e s t h a t t h e s o c i e t y Page 16 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 c a n c r e a te f u n d s f r o m t h e b e l ow m en t i o n e d s o u r c e s :

(a) from shares (1) from members (2) from Government ( b ) f r o m d e p o s i t ( 1 ) fr o m m em b e r s ( 2 ) f r o m n o n m e m b e r s of the area of the operation

(c) from loans

(d) from gifts ( e ) a d m i s s i o n f ee S i n c e d u e t o p o l i t i c a l r e a s o n s t h e D i s t r i c t C o o p er a t i v e B a n k s w a s n o t r e a d y t o g r an t l o a n s t o t h e d e p o n e n t s o c i e t y t h e r e f o r e t h e s o c i e t y c r e a t ed i t s o w n f u n d b y a c c e p t i n g d ep o s i t s f r o m i t s m e m b e r s a n d h a v e g r an t e d loans to the needy members of the society. It is submitted that the society is dispensing agriculture credit every year a n d t h e a c c o u n t s o f t h e s o c i e t y ar e a u d i t e d e v e r y y e a r . N o objection has been raised by the auditor from dispensing a g r i c u l t u r e c r e d i t fr o m t h e s o c i e t y . I t i s s u b m i t t e d therefore the objections raised by the petitioner is not tenable. It is submitted that the authorized officer pursuant to the declaration of election programme had a s k e d b y le t t e r d a t ed 2 1 1 2 2 0 2 0 t o f o r w a r d t h e n a m e s o f the members of the managing committee along with the d o c u m e n t s s h o w i n g d i s p e n s a t i o n o f ag r i c u l t u r a l c r e d i t .

T h e d e p o n e n t s o c i e t y h ad pr o d u c e d t h e n e c e s s a r y documents to the authorized officer on 28122020."

28. The r e f er e n c e to the b y e l aw s of one s uc h R e s po n d e n t Credit Society especially r el a t i n g to the o b je c t i v e a n d p r o v i si o n r e l a t i ng t o c o r p u s w o u l d g o o n t o t h e i n d i c a t e f ac t u a l l y , t h e a re a o f o p e ra t i o n o f t h e Cr e d i t Society and a p p ar e n t l y in c o n so n a n c e w i th the r e q u i r e m e n t to g i v e i t a c h ar a c t e ri s t i c o f a n P ri m a r y A g ri c u l t u r e C r e d i t Co o p e r a ti v e S o c i e t y .

29. T h e a n o th e r i s s u e r a i s ed i s o n t h e b a s i s o f N o S c o p e for p e ti t i o n e r to c h a l l e ng e th e order and l ac k of J u r i s d i c t i o n o f A u t h o ri z e d O f f i c e r t o p a s s th e o r d e r . T h i s a r g u m e n t i s to b e vi e w e d b y t a k i n g i n t o c o n s i d er a t i o n t h e p r o v i si o n o f R u l e 8 o f th e G u j a r a t A g r i c u l t u r a l Pr o d u c e M a r k e t s R u l e s , 1 9 6 5 , mo r e p a r ti c u l a rl y , S u b R u le 5 o f R u l e 8 . R ul e 8 i s re p r o d uc e d as u n d e r :

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C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 "8. Provisional and final publication of lists of voters. ( 1 ) A s s o o n a s a l i s t o f v o t e r s i s pr e p a r ed u n d er r u l e 5 , i t s h a l l be p u b l i s h e d b y t h e a u t h o r i s e d o f f i c e r b y a f f i x i n g a copy thereof at the office of the market committee and at some conspicuous place in the principal market yard in the m a r k e t a r e a a l o n g w i t h a n o t i c e s t a t i n g t h a t an y p e r s o n w h o s e n am e i s n o t e n t e r e d i n t h e l i s t o f v o t e r s a n d w h o c l a i m s t h a t h i s n a m e s h o u l d be e n t e r ed t h e r e i n o r an y person who thinks that his name or the name of some other p e r s o n h a s b e e n w r o n g l y en t e r e d t h e r e i n o r h a s n o t b e e n c o r r e c t l y en t e r e d , m a y , w i t h i n f o u r t e en d a y s f r o m t h e d a te of the publication of the notice, apply to the authorised o f f i c e r f o r an am e n d m en t o f t h e l i s t o f v o t e r s .

[ ( 1 A ) A f t e r r e c e i v i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s i f an y , u n d er s u b r u l e (1) a revised draft list of voters shall be published by the a u t h o r i s e d o f f i c e r b y a f f i x i n g a c o p y t h er e o f o n t h e n o t i c e b o a r d o f A g r i c u l t u r a l P r o d u c e M ar k e t C o m m i t t e e a n d a t s o m e c o n s p i c u o u s p l a c e i n t h e pr i n c i p a l m a r k e t y a r d o f t h e m a r k e t a r e a , a l o n g w i t h a n o t i c e s t a t i n g t h a t a n y p er s o n w h o w i s h e s t o r a i s e a n y o b j e c t i o n a g a i n s t a n y n ew n am e e n t e r ed i n t h i s l i s t , m a y a p p l y w i t h i n s e v e n d a y s f r o m t h e date of publication of this notice to the authorised officer f o r an a m e n d m en t i n t h e r e v i s e d d r a f t l i s t o f v o t e r s .

( 2 ) I f an y a p p l i c a t i o n i s r e c e i v e d u n d er [ s u b r u l e ( 1 A ) , the authorised officer shall decide the same and shall cause t o b e p r ep a r e d an d p u b l i s h e d t h e f i n a l l i s t o f v o t e r s , a f t e r making such amendments therein as may be necessary in pursuance of the decision given by him on the application. T h e f i n a l l i s t s h a l l b e p r e p ar e d a t l e a s t t h i r t y d a y s b e f o r e the date fixed for the nomination of candidates for the election."

30. I n t h e f a c t s o f t h i s c a s e , t h e Pr i m a r y V o t e r s ' L i s t w a s p u b l i sh e d on 02012021 when the name of the R e s po n d e n t C r ed i t S o c i e t y w e r e i nc l u d e d o n 1 5 0 1 2 0 2 1 . The petitioner r ai s e d o b j e c ti o n to s uc h i nc l u s i o n s . Authorized Officer issued Notice to Respondent a nd h e a ri n g t o o k p l ac e o n 1 7 0 1 2 0 2 1 . T h e li s t o f P ro v i s i o n a l Voters' was p u b l i sh e d on 19012021 indicating the o b je c t i o n s w e re c o n si d e r e d but not ac c e p t e d and t h e r ef o r e , t h e n a m e s o f t h e R e s po n d e n t C re d i t S o c i e t y Page 18 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 c o n ti n u e d . I n th e o pi n i o n o f t h e C o u r t t h a t w h e n t h e o b je c t i o n s w e r e r a i se d , c o n s i d er e d a nd th e r e f o r e , al s o t h e n a m e s h a v e c o n t i n u e d . T h e r ea f t e r , o n l y S c o p e t o o b j e c t i s a g ai n s t t h e i nc l u s i o n o f a n ew n a m e i n t h e l i s t t h a t i s t h e Scheme of the Act a nd R ul e s framed t h e re u n d e r . T h er e a f t er , th e i s s u e i f a t a l l i s r e q ui r e d t o b e r ai s e d , t h e same has to be under Rule28.

31. The Full Bench d ec i s i o n of this Court case of "DAHEDA GROUP SEVA SAHAKARI MANDLI LIMITED v/s. R.D.ROHIT,AUTHO.OFFICER & CO. OPERATIVE OFFICER ( M A R K E T I N G ) p a s se d i n S P E C I A L C I V I L A P P L I C A T I O N N o 2 4 8 9 o f 2 0 0 5 d a t e d 2 7 / 0 4 / 2 0 0 5 , w h e r ei n i n P a ra 3 2 a nd 33, it is held as under:

"32.We have gone through the aforesaid decisions c l o s e l y . T h e r e c a n n o t b e a n y d i s p u t e w i t h r e g ar d t o t h e p r i n c i p l e s l a i d d ow n t h er e i n . T h e s u m a n d s u b s t a n c e o f those decisions apply to a situation where this Court w o u l d l i k e t o e n t e r t a i n a pe t i t i o n o n t h e f o u n d a t i o n t h a t t h e o r d er i s u l t r a v i r e s an d / o r w i t h o u t j u r i s d i c t i o n and/or is violating principles of natural justice. Thus, in an exceptional case, this Court can exercise the power o f j u d i c i a l r e v i e w , w h i c h i s a ba s i c s t r u c t u r e o f t h e s i t u a t i o n i n s u c h c a s e s m o r e pa r t i c u l a r l y , i n t h e e l e c t i o n process. One thing is clear that this Court ordinarily w o u l d n o t l i k e t o e x e r c i s e i t s p o w e r u n d er A r t i c l e 2 2 6 o f t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n w h en t h e p r o c e s s o f e l e c t i o n h a s be e n s e t i n m o t i o n e v e n t h o u g h t h er e m a y be s o m e a l l e g e d illegality or breach of rules while preparing the e l e c t o r a l r o l l . I t w a s h e l d t h a t t h e pr o p e r r e m ed y i s b y w a y o f e l e c t i o n pe t i t i o n be f o r e t h e E l e c t i o n T r i b u n a l .

3 3 . I n v i e w o f t h e a b o v e d i s c u s s i o n , R e f e r e n c e a s u n d er :

i. A we answer the person whose name is not included in t h e v o t e r s ' l i s t c a n a v a i l b en e f i t o f pr o v i s i o n s o f R u l e 28 of the Rules by filing Election Petition. ii. As the authority under Rule 28 has wide power to cancel, c o n f i r m a n d a m e n d t h e e le c t i o n a n d t o d i r e c t t o h o l d fresh election in case the election is set aside, remedy u n d e r R u l e 2 8 i s a n ef f i c a c i o u s r e m e d y . i i i . E v e n t h o u g h a pe t i t i o n u n d e r A r t i c l e 2 2 6 o f t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f I n d i a Page 19 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022 C/SCA/2331/2021 ORDER DATED: 06/09/2021 i s m a i n t a i n a b l e t h o u g h a l te r n a t i v e r e m ed y i s a v a i l a b l e , the powers are to be exercised in case of extraordinary o r s p e c i a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s s u c h a s w h er e t h e o r d er i s u l t r a vires or nullity and/or ex facie without jurisdiction. The exclusion or inclusion of names in the voters' list cannot be termed as extraordinary circumstances warranting i n t e r f e r en c e b y t h i s C o u r t u n d e r A r t i c l e 2 2 6 o f t h e Constitution of India and such questions are to be decided in an Election Petition under Rule 28 of the Rules."

32. I n th e o p i n i o n o f t h e C o u r t , t h e f a c t u a l m a t ri x i n d i c a t e d h er e i n a b o v e i s a l so p er t a i n i n g t o i nc l u s i o n s o f t h e R e s p o n d e n t C r ed i t S o c i e t y i n t h e li s t o f V o t e r i n A g ri c u l t u r e Co n s t i t u e n c y and therefore, Court is not inclined to i n t e rf e r e w i th th e ongoing el e c ti o n programme.

33. M o r eo v e r , n o t h i n g i s i nd i c a t e d o n f a c t s t o m a k e o u t an e x t r ao r d i n ar y or s p ec i a l c i r c u m s t a nc e s , so as to w ar r a n t i m m e d i a t e i n t e rf e r e n c e o f t h i s C o u r t b y i n v o ki n g A r ti c l e 2 2 6 o f t h e C o n s ti t u t i o n o f I n d i a .

34. I n v i e w o f t h e af o r e sa i d d i sc u s s i o n o n t h e g ro u n d o f a l t e r n a ti v e r e m e d y , th e C o u r t i s n o t i nc l i n ed t o e n t e r t ai n t h i s p e t i ti o n . T h e o b s er v a t i o n s t h u s m a d e t o d ea l w i th c o n t e n ti o n s r ai s e d m a y n o t c o m e i n w a y o f t h e p e ti t i o n e r , i f th e p e ti t i o n e r c h o o s e s to a v ai l s u c h a l t e r n a ti v e r e m e d y .

35. I n v i ew o f t h e af o r e sa i d , t h i s p e t i ti o n d e s er v e s t o a n d i s h e r eb y d i s m i s s e d .

36. I n v i ew o f t h e o r d e r p a s s ed i n t h e m a i n m a t t e r , t h e C i v i l A p p l i c a t i o n d o e s n o t s u r v i v e a nd s t a n d d i s p o s e d o f a c c o rd i n g l y .

(A.Y. KOGJE, J) PARESH SOMPURA Page 20 of 20 Downloaded on : Sun Jan 16 12:30:14 IST 2022

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