State of Maharashtra - Act
The Maharashtra Co-Operative Societies Act, 1960
MAHARASHTRA
India
India
The Maharashtra Co-Operative Societies Act, 1960
Act 24 of 1961
- Published on 4 May 1961
- Commenced on 4 May 1961
- [This is the version of this document from 4 May 1961.]
- [Note: The original publication document is not available and this content could not be verified.]
Chapter I
Preliminary
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.
- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-Chapter II
Registration
3. Registrar [and his subordinates] [These words were added by Maharashtra 27 of 1969, Section 3(c).].
- The State Government may appoint a person to be the Registrar of Co-operative Societies for the State; and may appoint one or more persons to assist such Registrar [with such designations, and in such local areas or throughout the State, as it may specify in that behalf,] [These words were inserted by Maharashtra 27 of 1969, Section 3(a).] and may, by general or special order, confer on any such person or persons all or any of the powers of the Registrar under this Act. The person or persons so appointed to assist the Registrar and on whom any powers of the Registrar are conferred, shall work under the general guidance, superintendence and control of the Registrar. [They shall be subordinate to the Registrar, and subordination of such persons amongst themselves shall be such as may be determined by the State Government] [These words were added by Maharashtra 27 of 1969, Section 3(b).].3A. [ Temporary vacancies. [Section 3A was inserted by Maharashtra 20 of 1986, Section 3.]
- If the Registrar or a person appointed to assist such Registrar is disabled from performing his duties or for any reason vacates his office or leaves his jurisdiction or dies, then-4. Societies which may be registered.
- A society, which has as its objects the promotion of the economic interests or general welfare of its members, or of the public, in accordance with co-operative principles, or a society established with the object of facilitating the operations of any such society, may be registered under this Act:Provided that, no society shall be registered if it is likely to be economically unsound, or the registration of which may have an adverse effect on development [of the co-operative movement, or the registration of which may be contrary to the policy directives which the State Government may, from time to time, issue.] [These words were substituted for the words 'of the co-operative movement,' by Maharashtra 20 of 1986, Section 4.].5. Registration with limited or unlimited liability.
- A society may be registered with limited or unlimited liability.6. Conditions of registration.
7. Power to exempt societies [or class of societies] [These words were Inserted by Maharashtra 27 of 1969, Section 5(b).] from conditions as to registration.
- Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the State Government may, [by general or special order, exempt any society or class of societies from any of the requirements of this Act as to registration, subject to such conditions (if any) as it may impose.] [This portion was substituted for the original portion by Maharashtra 27 of 1969, Section 5(a).]8. Application for registration.
9. Registration.
10. Evidence of Registration.
- A certificate of registration signed by the Registrar, shall be conclusive evidence that the society therein mentioned, is duly registered, unless it is proved that the registration of the society has been cancelled.11. Power of Registrar to decide certain questions.
- When, [* * * * *] [The words 'for the purpose of the formation, or registration or continuance, of a society.' were deleted by Maharashtra 20 of 1986, a. 7(a).] any question arises whether a person is an agriculturist or not, or whether any person resides in the area of operation of the society or not, [or whether a person is or is not engaged in or carrying on any profession, business or employment, or whether a person belongs or does not belong to such class of persons as declared under sub-section (1A) of section 22 and has or has not incurred a disqualification under that sub-section,] [These words were inserted by Maharashtra 20 of 1986, Section 7(b).] such question shall be decided by the Registrar [and his decision shall be final, but no decision adverse to any such person shall be given without giving him an opportunity of being heard.] [These words were inserted by Maharashtra 3 of 1974, Section 4.]12. Classification of societies.
13. Amendment of bye-laws of society.
14. Power to direct amendment of bye-laws.
15. Change of name.
16. Change of liability.
17. Amalgamation, transfer, division or conversion of societies.
18. [Power to direct amalgamation, division and reorganisation in the public interest or in the interest of members, etc.] [This marginal note was substituted by Maharashtra Act No 16 of 2013 dated 13-8-2013, Section 8(b), (w.e.f. 14-2-2013).].
18A. [ Amalgamation of co-operative banks. [Section 18A was inserted by Maharashtra 5 of 1976, Section 3.]
18B. [ Amalgamation of primary agricultural credit societies. [Section 18B was inserted by Maharashtra 4 of 1977, Section 3.]
18C. [ Reorganisation of societies on account of alteration of limits of local areas in which they operate. [Section 18C was inserted by Maharashtra 7 of 1982, Section 2.]
19. Reconstruction of societies.
- Where a proposal for a compromise or arrangement-20. Partnership of societies.
20A. [ Collaboration by societies. [Section 20A was inserted by Maharashtra 20 of 1986, Section 10.]
21. Cancellation of registration.
- The Registrar shall make an order cancelling the registration of a society if it transfers the whole of its assets and liabilities to another society, or amalgamates with another society, or divides itself into two or more societies or if its affairs are wound up, [or it is de-registered 'under the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 21A] [Inserted by Maharashtra 10 of 1988, Section 5.] [or winding up proceedings in respect of the society are closed or terminated under section 109.] [This portion was inserted by Maharashtra 3 of 1974, Section 4.]. [* * * *] [The portion beginning with 'or it has not commenced business' and ending with 'be cancelled' was deleted by Maharashtra 3 of 1974, Section 5.].The society shall, from the date of such order of cancellation, be deemed to be dissolved and shall cease to exist as a corporate body.21A. [ De-registration of societies. [Section 21-A was inserted by Maharashtra 20 of 1986, Section 11.]
Chapter III
Members and Their Rights and Liabilities
22. Person who may become member.
23. Open membership.
24. [Nominal and associate member] [This marginal note was substituted by Maharashtra Act No. 16 of 2013 dated 13-8-2013, Section 13(c), (w.e.f. 14-2-2013).].
24A. [ Co-operative education and training to members, etc. [Section 24A was inserted by Maharashtra Act No. 16 of 2013 dated 13-8-2013, Section 14, (w.e.f. 14-2-2013).]
25. Cessation of membership.
- A person shall cease to be a member of a society on his resignation from the membership thereof being accepted, or on the transfer of the whole of his share or interest in the society to another member, or on his death, or removal or expulsion [from the society, or where a firm, company, any other corporate body, society or trust is a member, on its dissolution or ceasing to exist.] [These words were substituted for the words 'from the society', by Maharashtra 20 of 1986, Section 14.]25A. [ Removal of names of members from membership register. [Section 25A was inserted by Maharashtra 20 of 1986, Section 15.]
- The committee of a society shall remove from the register of its members the name of a person who has ceased to be a member or who stands disqualified by or under the provisions of this Act for being the member or continuing to be the member of a society:Provided that, if the society does not comply with the requirement of this section, the Registrar shall direct such society to remove the name of such person, and the society shall be bound to comply with such direction.]26. [ Rights and duties of members. [Section 26 was substituted by Maharashtra Act No. 16 of 2013 dated 13-8-2013, Section 15, (w.e.f. 14-2-2013).]
27. Voting powers of members.
- [(1) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (2) to (7), both inclusive, no member of any society shall have more than one vote in its affairs; and every right to vote shall be exercised personally and not by proxy:Provided that, in the case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a casting vote;] [Sub-section (1) was substituted for the original by Maharashtra 45 of 1983, Section 2(a).][Explanation. - For the purposes of this sub-section, 'votes to more than one candidate from the panel' shall be treated as one vote.] [This Explanation was inserted by Maharashtra Act No. 16 of 2013 dated 13-8-2013, Section 16(a), (w.e.f. 14-2-2013).]28. Restrictions on holding of shares.
- In any society, [no member, other than the Government, or any other society, or with the previous sanction of the State Government, a Zilla Parishad constituted under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, shall-] [This portion was substituted for the words 'no member other than the State Government or any other society, shall-' by Maharashtra 27 of 1969, Section 9.]29. Restrictions on transfer or charge of share or interest.
30. Transfer of interest on death of member.
31. Share or interest not liable to attachment.
- The share or interest of a member in the capital of a society, or in the loan-stock issued by a housing society, or in the funds raised by a society from its members by way of savings deposit, shall not be liable to attachment or sale under any decree or order of a Court for or in respect of any debt or liability incurred by the member; and accordingly, neither the Official Assignee under the presidency-towns Insolvency Act, 1909, nor a Receiver under the Provincial Insolvency Act, 1920, nor any such person or authority under any corresponding law for the time being in force, shall be entitled to, or have any claim on, such share or interest.32. Rights of members to see books, etc.
32A. [ Certain societies to give pass books to members and entries in such book evidence of amount due. [Section 32A was inserted by Maharashtra 3 of 1974, Section 7]
33. Liability of past member and estate of deceased member.
34. Insolvency of members.
- Notwithstanding anything contained in the Presidency-towns Insolvency Act, 1909, the Provincial Insolvency Act, 1920, or any corresponding law for the time being in force, the dues of a society from a member, in insolvency proceedings against him, shall rank in order of priority next to the dues payable by him to Government or to a local authority.35. Expulsion of members.
Chapter IV
Incorporation, Duties and Privileges of Societies
36. Societies to be bodies corporate.
- The registration of a society shall render it a body corporate by the name under which it is registered, with perpetual succession and a common seal, and with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, to enter into contracts, to institute and defend suits and other legal proceedings and to do all such things as are necessary for the purpose for which it is constituted.37. Address of societies.
- Every society shall have an address, registered in accordance with the rules, to which all notices and communications may be sent; and the society shall send notice in writing to the Registrar of any change in the said address, within thirty days thereof.38. Register of members.
39. Copy of Act, etc. to be open to inspection.
- Every society shall keep, at the registered address of the society, a copy of this Act and the rules and of its bye-laws, and a list of members, open to inspection to the public, free of charge, during office hours or any hours fixed by the society therefor.40. Admissibility of copy of entry of evidence.
41. Exemption from compulsory registration of instruments relating to shares and debentures of society.
- Nothing in clauses (b) and (c) of sub-section (1) of section 17 of the Indian Registration Act, 1908, shall apply-42. Power to exempt from taxation [power to refund] [These words were added by Maharashtra 40 of 1972, Section 2(3).].
- [(1)] [Section 42 was renumbered as sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) was added by Maharashtra 40 of 1972, Section 2(1) and (2).] The State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette may, in the case of any society or class of societies, [reduce or remit, whether prospectively or retrospectively, in the whole of the State or any part thereof] [These words were substituted for 'remit', by Maharashtra 20 of 1986, Section 2(1).]-(a)the stamp duty with which, under any law relating to stamp duty for the time being in force, instruments executed by or on behalf of a society or by an officer or member thereof and relating to the business of the society, or any class of such instruments, or awards of the Registrar [or Co-operative Court] [These words were substituted for the words 'or his nominee or board of nominees' by Maharashtra 3 of 1974, Section 8.] under this Act, are respectively chargeable,(b)any fee payable by or on behalf of a society under the law relating to the registration of documents and to court-fees, for the time being in force, and(c)any other tax or fee or duty (or any portion thereof) payable by or on behalf of a society under any law for the time being in force, which the State Government is competent to levy.43. Restrictions on borrowings.
- [(1)] [Section 43 was renumbered as sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) was added by Maharashtra 33 of 1963, Section 8.] A society shall receive deposits and loans from members and other persons, only to such extent, and under such conditions, as may be prescribed, or specified by the bye-laws of the society:[Provided that, the co-operative credit structure entity shall adopt its own policies regarding interest rates on deposits and loans in conformity with [guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India or the National Bank] [This proviso was added by Maharashtra Act 11 of 2008, Section 8(a), (w.e.f. 29.10.2007).]].44. Regulation of loan making policy.
44A. [ Limit on interest in certain cases. [Section 44A was substituted by Maharashtra 20 of 1986, Section 19. It was deleted by Maharashtra Order VII of 2007; Section 10 w.e.f. 29-10-2007 but retained In Amendment Act XI of 2008.]
- Notwithstanding anything contained in any agreement or any law for the time being in force, a society [(including a Co-operative Bank and a Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Multipurpose Development Bank)] shall not for any loan (including rehabilitation loan but excluding long term loan for irrigation or agricultural development purposes or loan exceeding [rupees ten thousand] [These words were substituted for the words 'rupees three thousand' by Maharashtra Act No. 16 of 2013 dated 13-8-2013, Section 19(a), (w.e.f. 14-2-2013).] for non-agricultural [* * *] [The words 'or commercial' were deleted by Maharashtra Act No. 16 of 2013 dated 13-8-2013, Section 19(b), (w.e.f. 14-2-2013).] purposes) given by it to any member (including a member society) for a period not exceeding 15 years, whether the loan was given before or is given after the commencement of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (Second Amendment) Act, 1985, recover, in any manner whatsoever, on account of interest, a sum greater than the amount of the principal of the loan.][Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a loan exceeding one lakh rupees given by Co-operative Agriculture and Rural Multipurpose Development Bank to any member.] [Added by Maharashtra Act No. 41 of 2005, Section 3(b), (w.e.f. 25-8-2005).]45. Restrictions on other transactions with non members.
- Save as is provided in this Act, the transactions of a society with persons other than members, shall be subject to such restrictions, if any, as may be prescribed.46. Charge and set-off in respect of share or interest of member.
- A society shall have a charge upon the share or interest in the capital, and on the deposits, of a member or past member or deceased member, and upon any dividend, bonus or profits payable to any such member, in respect of any debt due from such member or his estate to the society; and the society may set-off any sum credited or payable to such member in or towards payment of any such debt:Provided that, no co-operative bank shall have a charge upon any sum invested with it by a society out of the provident fund established by it under section 71, or its reserve fund; and no co-operative bank shall be entitled to set off any such sum towards any debts due from the society. -47. Prior claim of society.
48. Charge on immovable property of members borrowing from certain societies.
- Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force,-48A. [ Deductions from sale price of certain agricultural produce to meet society's dues. [This section was inserted by Maharashtra 2 of 1972, Section 12.]
| (i) | if the produce tendered for sale is sugarcane | 100% |
| (ii) | if the produce tendered for sale is[cotton] [This word was substituted for the word 'kapas', by Maharashtra 50 of 1977, Section 3(a)(ii).] | 60% |
| (iii) | in any other case | 40%]. |