38. Constitution, powers and functions of general body.—(1) The general body of a multi-State
co-operative society shall consist of all the members of such society:
Provided that where the bye-laws of a multi-State co-operative society provide for the constitution of
a smaller body consisting of delegates of members of the society elected or selected in accordance with
such bye-laws, that smaller body shall exercise such powers of the general body as may be prescribed or
as maybe specified in the bye-laws of the society.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the rules and the bye-laws, the ultimate authority of a
multi-State co-operative society shall vest in the general body of its members:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall affect the exercise by the board or any
officer of a multi-State co-operative society of any power conferred on such board or such officer by this
Act or the rules or the bye-laws.
(3) Where in any meeting of the general body or the board of a multi-State co-operative society, a
co-operative society or another multi-State co-operative society is to be represented, such co-operative
society or other multi-State co-operative society shall be represented in such meeting only through the
Chairperson or the President or the Chief Executive or a member of the board of such co-operative
society or other multi-State co-operative society, as the case may be, if such member is so authorised by
the board and where there is no board of such co-operative society or other multi-State co-operative
society, for whatever reasons, through the administrator, by whatever name called, of such co-operative
society or other multi-State co-operative society:
Provided that where the bye-laws of a multi-State co-operative society provide for representation of
other institutions in any meeting of general body or the board of such multi-State co-operative society,
such institutions shall be represented through its nominee.
39. Annual general meeting of general body.—(1) The board of every multi-State co-operative
society shall, within such period as may be prescribed, and not later than six months after the close of the
corresponding year, call the annual general meeting in the manner prescribed for the purpose of—
(a) consideration of the audited statement of accounts;
(b) consideration of the audit report and annual report;
(c) consideration of audit compliance report;
(d) disposal of net profits;
(e) review of operational deficit, if any;
(f) creation of specific reserves and other funds;
(g) approval of the annual budget;
(h) review of actual utilisation of reserve and other funds;
(i) approval of the long-term perspective plan and the annual operational plan;
(j) review of annual report and accounts of subsidiary institution, if any;
(k) expulsion of members;
(l) list of employees who are relatives of members of the board or of the Chief Executive;
(m) amendment of bye-laws, if any;
(n) formulation of code of conduct for the members of the board and officers;
(o) election of members of the board, if any.
1
[(p) appointment of auditor.]
1. Ins. by Act 11 of 2023, s. 14 (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
21
(2) Where the board of a multi-State co-operative society fails to convene the annual general meeting
within the period specified in sub-section (1), the Central Registrar or the person authorised by him in this
behalf shall be competent to convene such annual general meeting within a period of ninety days from the
date of expiry of the period mentioned in that sub-section and the expenditure incurred on such meeting
shall be borne by the society.
(3) At every annual general meeting of a multi-State co-operative society, the board shall lay before
the society a statement showing the details of the loans or goods on credit, if any, given to any of the
members of the board or to the spouse or a son or daughter of a member of the board during the preceding
year or outstanding against him or against such spouse or son or daughter of the member of the board.
40. Special general meeting of general body.—(1) The Chief Executive may, at any time, on the
direction of the board, call a special general meeting of the society and shall call such meeting within one
month after the receipt of a requisition in writing from the Central Registrar or from such member or
members or a proportion of the total number of members, as may be provided in the bye-laws.
(2) If a special general meeting of a multi-State co-operative society is not called in accordance with
the requisition referred to in sub-section (1), the Central Registrar or any person authorised by him in this
behalf shall have the power to call such meeting and that meeting shall be deemed to be a meeting called
by the Chief Executive in accordance with the provisions of that sub-section and the Central Registrar
may order that the expenditure incurred in calling such meeting shall be paid out of the funds of the
society or by such person or persons who, in the opinion of the Central Registrar, was or were responsible
for the refusal or failure to convene the special general meeting.
41. Board of directors.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and rules, there shall be a board of
directors for every multi-State co-operative society consisting of such number of members as specified in
sub-section (3).
(2) The members of a multi-State co-operative society, by a resolution in a general meeting, shall
elect directors who shall be members of board.
1
[(3) The board shall consist of such number of directors not exceeding twenty-one, as may be
specified by the bye-laws, out of which one member shall be Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe and two
shall be women in the board of multi-State co-operative society consisting of individuals and having
members from such class or category of persons:
Provided further that the number of such co-opted members shall not exceed two in addition to
twenty-one directors specified in this sub-section.
(4) The co-opted directors referred to in sub-section (3) shall not have the right to vote in any election
of the office bearers or be eligible to be elected as office bearers of the board.
(5) The functional directors in a multi-State co-operative society shall also be the members of the
board and such directors shall be excluded for the purpose of counting the total number of directors
specified in sub-section (3).
(6) No director of a multi-State co-operative society shall, as a director, be present in the discussion
of, or vote on, any contract or arrangement entered into, or to be entered into, by or on behalf of such
society, if he or his relative is directly or indirectly concerned or interested in such contract or
arrangement and no relative of any of the sitting directors of the multi-State co-operative society shall be
recruited as employee including the Chief Executive of that society.
Explanation.––For the purposes of this sub-section, the term, “relative” with reference to an
individual, includes—
(a) spouse;
(b) father (including step father);
(c) mother (including step mother);
(d) son (including step son);
(e) son’s wife;
1. Subs. by Act 11 of 2023, s. 15, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
22
(f) daughter (including step daughter);
(g) daughter’s husband;
(h) father’s father;
(i) father’s mother;
(j) mother’s father;
(k) mother’s mother;
(l) son’s son;
(m) son’s son’s wife;
(n) son’s daughter;
(o) son’s daughter’s husband;
(p) daughter’s son;
(q) daughter’s son’s wife;
(r) daughter’s daughter;
(s) daughter’s daughter’s husband;
(t) brother (including step brother);
(u) brother’s wife;
(v) sister (including step sister);
(w) sister’s husband; and
(x) Hindu undivided family.
(7) Any director of the board who violates the provision of sub-section (6), shall be disqualified for
being a member of the board and deemed to have vacated his office from the date of such meeting of the
board as is referred to in the said sub-section and such proceedings shall be deemed to be void.]
42. Association of employees in management decision making process.—Every multi-State
co-operative society shall devise such procedure, as may be specified in the bye-laws or in the
administrative instructions of such society, for the association of the representatives of employees of such
multi-State co-operative societies at such level or bodies as may be specified in the bye-laws or the
instructions issued in this regard, in the management decision making process.
43. Disqualifications for being a member of board.—(1) No member of any multi-State
co-operative society or nominee of a member, society or a national co-operative society shall be eligible
for being chosen as, or for being, a member of the board of such multi-State co-operative society or a
national co-operative society, or of any other co-operative society to which the multi-State co-operatives
society is affiliated, if such member—
(a) has been adjudged by a competent court to be insolvent 1
[or has been a director of an
insolvent company] or of unsound mind;
(b) is concerned or participates in the profits of any contract with the society;
(c) has been convicted for an offence involving moral turpitude;
(d) holds any office or place of profit under the society:
Provided that the Chief Executive or such full-time employee of the society as may be notified by the
Central Government from time to time or a person elected by the employees of such society to represent
them on the board of such society shall be eligible for being chosen as, or for being, a member of such
board;
(e) has been a member of the society for less than twelve months immediately preceding the date
of such election or appointment;
1. Ins. by Act 11 of 2023, s. 16 (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
23
(f) has interest in any business of the kind carried on by the society of which he is a member;
(g) has taken loan or goods on credit from the society of which he is a member, or is otherwise
indebted to such society and after the receipt of a notice of default issued to him by such society, has
defaulted—
(i) in repayment of such loan or debt or in payment of the price of the goods taken on credit,
as the case may be, within the date fixed for such repayment or payment or where such date is
extended, which in no case shall exceed six months, within the date so extended, or
(ii) when such loan or debt or the price of goods taken on credit is to be paid in instalments,
in payment of any instalment, and the amount in default or any part thereof has remained unpaid
on the expiry of six months from the date of such default:
Provided that a member of the board who has ceased to hold office as such under this clause shall not
be eligible, for a period of one year, from the date on which he ceased to hold office, for re-election as a
member of the board of the multi-State co-operative society of which he was a member or for the election
to the board of any other multi-State co-operative society;
(h) is a person against whom any amount due under a decree, decision or order is pending
recovery under this Act 1
[or under any other Act specified in the Third Schedule;]
(i) is retained or employed as a legal practitioner on behalf of or against the multi-State
co-operative society, or on behalf of or against any other multi-State co-operative society which is a
member of the former society.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, “legal practitioner” has the same meaning as in
clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Advocates Act, 1961 (25 of 1961);
(j) has been convicted for any offence under this Act;
(k) is disqualified for being a member under section 29;
(l) has been expelled as a member under section 30;
(m) absents himself from three consecutive board meetings and such absence has not been
condoned to by the board;
(n) absents himself from three consecutive general body meetings and such absence has not been
condoned by the members in the general body.
1
[(o) has been disqualified under sub-section (7) of section 41.]
1
[(1A) A member who has been a director of the board of any multi-State co-operative society or
co-operative bank, where such board has been superseded, shall not be eligible to be elected as
director of the board of another multi-State co-operative society or co-operative bank for a period of
five years, from the date of such supersession:
Provided that no member shall be declared ineligible under this sub-section unless an opportunity
of being heard has been given to such member by the Central Registrar and declaration for
ineligibility shall be made only after ascertaining that the member concerned has been responsible by
acts of omission or commission leading to such supersession.]
(2) A person shall not be eligible for being elected as member of board of a multi-State co-operative
society for a period of five years if the board of such multi-State co-operative society fails—
2
[(a) to provide information, documents, personnel, funds or expenses or any other assistance as
required by the Co-operative Election Authority for conducting elections under this Act in such
manner as may be prescribed; or]
(b) to call the annual general meeting under section 39; or
(c) to prepare the financial statement and present the same in the annual 3
[general meeting; or]
1. Ins. by Act 11 of 2023, s. 16 (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
2. Subs. by s. 16, ibid., for clause (a) (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
3. Subs. by s. 16, ibid., for “general meeting” (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
24
1
[(d) to make contribution to the co-operative education fund referred to in clause (b) of
sub-section (1) of section 63 or the Co-operative Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development
Fund established under section 63A; or
(d) to make contribution to the co-operative education fund referred to in clause (b) of
sub-section (1) of section 63 or the Co-operative Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development
Fund established under section 63A; or
(e) to file annual return specified in section 120 within the time specified therein; or
(f) to get the audit of the society conducted within six months of the close of the financial year to
which such account relate:
Provided that before taking any action under this sub-section, he shall be given an opportunity of
being heard by the Central Registrar.]
44. Prohibition to hold office of chairperson or president or vice-chairperson or vice-president
in certain cases.—(1) No member of a board shall be eligible to be elected as the chairperson or
president or vice-chairperson or vice-president of a multi-State co-operative society if such member is a
Minister in the Central Government or a State Government.
(2) No member of a board shall be eligible to be elected as the chairperson or president of a
multi-State co-operative society, after he has held the office, as such during two consecutive terms,
whether full or part:
Provided that a member who has ceased to hold the office of the chairperson or president
continuously for one full term shall again be eligible for election to the office as such.
Explanation.—Where any member holding the office of the chairperson or president at the
commencement of this Act is again elected to that office after such commencement, he shall for the
purpose of this section, be deemed to have held office for one term before such election.
2
[45. Establishment of Cooperative Election Authority.—(1) The Central Government shall, by
notification, establish an Authority to be known as the Co-operative Election Authority which shall
consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and Members not exceeding three to be appointed by the
Central Government on the recommendation of the Selection Committee consisting of such persons as
may be prescribed.
(2) The head office of the Authority shall be at such place as may be notified by the Central
Government.
(3) The election of the members of the board shall be held in the general meeting of the members of
the multi-State co-operative society.
(i) Chairperson of the Authority unless he held the post of Additional Secretary to the
Government of India or equivalent rank;
(ii) Vice-Chairperson of the Authority unless he held the post of Joint Secretary to the
Government of India or equivalent rank; and
(iii) Member unless he fulfils such qualification and experience as may be prescribed
(4) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member of the Authority shall hold office for a period of
three years from the date on which they enter upon their office or until they attain the age of sixty-five
years, whichever is earlier and they shall be eligible for re-appointment:
Provided that in case of appointment of a Government servant as a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or
a Member, he shall be treated as an ex officio Member and he shall continue so long as he holds the office
by virtue of which he is a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member.
(5) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of the
Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the Authority, other than the ex officio Member, shall be
such as may be prescribed.
1. Ins. by Act 11 of 2023, s. 16 (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
2. Subs. by s. 17, ibid., for section 45 (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
25
45A. Power of Chairperson.—The Chairperson of the Authority shall have powers of general
superintendence and directions in the conduct of the affairs of the Authority and he shall, in addition to
presiding over the meetings of the Authority, exercise and discharge such other powers and functions as
may be prescribed.
45B. Removal and suspension of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Members.—(1) The
Central Government may, by order, remove from office the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member of
the Authority, other than ex officio Member, if the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member of the
Authority, as the case may be,—
(a) has been adjudged as an insolvent;
(b) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government involves
moral turpitude;
(c) has been physically or mentally incapable of acting as a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or
Member of the Authority;
(d) has acquired such financial or other interests, as is likely to affect prejudicially his function as
a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member of the Authority;
(e) has so abused his position, as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to the public
interest; or
(f) has engaged at any time during his term of office in any other employment.
(2) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member of the Authority shall not be removed from his
office except by an order of the Central Government on the ground of his proved misbehaviour or
incapacity after the Central Government has, on an inquiry, held in accordance with the procedure
prescribed in this behalf by it, come to the conclusion that the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member
of the Authority ought on any such ground to be removed.
(3) The Central Government may suspend the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member of the
Authority in respect of whom an inquiry under sub-section (2) is being initiated or pending until the
Central Government has passed an order on receipt of the report of the inquiry.
45C. Disclosure and declaration of interest. —(1) Before appointing any person as Chairperson,
Vice-Chairperson or Member, the Central Government shall satisfy itself that the person does not have
any such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as such Chairperson,
Vice-Chairperson or Member.
(2) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Members shall immediately after entering office and every
year thereafter, make a declaration as to the extent of their interest, whether direct or indirect and whether
financial or otherwise, in any co-operative society.
(3) The declaration so made under sub-section (2) shall be placed in the public domain by the
Authority.
45D. Resignation of Members.— The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Members, other than ex
officio Members, may, by notice in writing of not less than thirty days under their hand addressed to the
Central Government, resign their office and on such resignation being accepted by that Government, shall
be deemed to have vacated their office:
Provided that the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member shall, unless he is permitted by the
Central Government to relinquish his office sooner, continue to hold office until the expiry of three
months from the date of receipt of such notice or until a person duly appointed as his successor enters
upon his office or until the expiry of his term of office, whichever is the earliest.
45E. Filling of casual vacancy.— If a casual vacancy occurs in the office of the Chairperson, ViceChairperson or Member of the Authority, whether by reason of his death, resignation or otherwise, such
vacancy shall be filled within a period of ninety days by making a fresh appointment in accordance with
the provisions of section 45 and the person so appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the term of
office for which the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member of the Authority, as the case may be, in
whose place he is so appointed.
26
45F. Restriction of reemployment.—The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Member of the
Authority, on ceasing to hold office shall not, for a period of two years, accept any employment
(including as consultant or otherwise) in any co-operative society:
Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply to any employment under the Central
Government or in any State Government or any Corporation established by or under any Central or State
Act or a Government Company as defined under clause (45) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18
of 2013).
45G. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Authority.—No act or proceeding of the
Authority shall be invalid merely by reason of—
(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of the Authority;
(b) any defect in the appointment of a person as Chairperson or Member of the Authority; or
(c) any irregularity in the procedure of the Authority not affecting the merits of the case.
45H. Meetings of Authority.— (1) The Authority shall meet at such places and times and shall
observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings (including the
quorum at its meetings), as may be prescribed.
(2) The Chairperson of the Authority shall preside at the meeting of the Authority and if for any
reason the Chairperson of the Authority is unable to attend a meeting of the Authority, the ViceChairperson of the Authority shall preside at the meeting.
(3) All questions which come up before any meeting of the Authority shall be decided by a majority
of votes of the members present and voting and, in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairperson or
the Vice-Chairperson of the Authority presiding shall have the right to exercise a second or casting vote.
(4) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (1), every Member shall have one vote.
45-I. Functions of Authority.— The Authority shall discharge the following functions, namely:––
(i) conduct the elections of the multi-State co-operative society;
(ii) supervise, direct and control the matters relating to preparation of electoral rolls; and
(iii) such other functions as may be prescribed.
45J. Elections of members of board.— (1) No person shall be eligible to be elected as a member of
the board or office bearer of a multi-State co-operative society, unless he is an active member of the
general body of that society.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, the term “active member” means any member—
(i) availing minimum level of products or services of the society; or
(ii) attending not less than three consecutive general meetings,
as specified in section 29.
(2) A member of the board or office bearer of a multi-State co-operative society shall cease to be such
member or office bearer, if he ceases to be a member of general body of that society
(3) The election of members of board shall be held by secret ballot in such manner as may be
prescribed.
(4) The election of the members of the board shall be held in the general meeting of the members of
the multi-State co-operative society and the elected members of the board shall, if the bye-laws of such
society permit, be eligible for re-election.
(5) 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 co-terminus with the term of the board:
Provided that the board may fill casual vacancies up to one-third of number of elected directors 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:
27
Provided further that in case the number of such casual vacancies in the same term of the board
exceeds one-third of number of elected directors, such vacancies shall be filled by elections.
(6) The expenses for holding elections by the Authority shall be borne by the multi-State co-operative
society in such manner as may be prescribed.
(7) The Central Government may make rules to provide for the powers and the procedure to be
followed by the Authority for conduct of election of members of the board.
(8) The Chairperson and the Chief Executive of the multi-State co-operative society shall inform the
Authority, six months before the expiry of the term of the existing board, to conduct the elections within
time.
(9) The multi-State co-operative society in respect of which the election is being held shall provide
such infrastructure, personnel, information, documents or other assistance to the Authority as it may
require.
45K. Appointment of Returning Officer and other officers.— (1) The Authority may appoint a
Returning Officer to conduct the election of the multi-State co-operative societies and discharge such
functions, as directed by the Authority, in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) The Central Government shall provide such staff and officers to the Authority as may be
necessary for the efficient discharge of functions by the Authority under the Act.
(3) The Authority may appoint,—
(a) such observers as it may consider necessary to supervise the elections and discharge such
other functions as may be prescribed; and
(b) such number of Assistant Returning Officers as it may consider necessary to assist the
Returning Officer.
45L. Power to issue directions.— The Authority may, by general or special order, issue such
directions to the board, its members, Chief Executive and other staff of the multi-State co-operative
society as may be necessary for the conduct of free and fair elections and the board, its members, Chief
Executive and staff of the society shall comply with such directions.]
46. Holding of office in co-operative society.—Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, no
person shall be eligible to hold, at the same time, office of a president or chairperson or vice-president or
vice-chairperson on the board of more than two multi-State co-operative societies.
47. Removal of elected members by general body.—An elected member of a board, who has acted
adversely to the interests of multi-State co-operative society, may on the basis of a report of the Central
Registrar or otherwise be removed from the board upon a resolution of the general body passed at its
meeting by a majority of not less than two-third of the members present and voting at the meeting:
Provided that the member concerned shall not be removed unless he has been given a reasonable
opportunity of making a representation in the matter.
48. Nominee of Central Government or State Government on board.—(1) Where the Central
Government or a State Government has subscribed to the share capital of a multi-State co-operative
society, the Central Government or the State Government, as the case maybe, or any person authorised by
the Central Government or the State Government shall have right to nominate on the board such number
of persons as its members on the following basis, namely:—
(a) where the total amount of issued equity share capital held by the Central Government or the
State Government is less than twenty-six per cent. of the total issued equity share capital, one member
of the board;
(b) where the total amount of issued equity share capital held by the Central Government or the
State Government is twenty-six per cent. or more but less than fifty-one per cent. of the total issued
equity share capital, two members of the board;
(c) where the total amount of issued equity share capital held by the Central Government or the
State Government is fifty-one per cent. or more of the total issued share capital, three members of the
board:
28
Provided that the number of such nominated persons shall not exceed one-third of the total number of
members of the board:
Provided further that where the Central Government or a State Government has guaranteed the
repayment of principal and payment of interest on debentures issued by a multi-State co-operative society
or has guaranteed the repayment of principal and payment of interest on loans and advances to a
multi-State co-operative society or has given any assistance by way of grants or otherwise to a multi-State
co-operative society, the Central Government or the State Government in this behalf, as the case may be,
or any person authorised by the Central Government, shall have the right to nominate person on the board
of such a society in the manner as may be prescribed.
(2) A person nominated under this section shall hold office during the pleasure of the Government by
which he has been so nominated.
49. Powers and functions of board.—(1) The board may exercise all such powers as may be
necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions under this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such powers shall include the
power—
(a) to admit members;
1
[(aa) to elect the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson or President and Vice-President of the
multi-State co-operative society from amongst the elected members of the board in accordance with
the directions of the Authority:
Provided that the certificate of election shall be issued by the Chief Executive of the multi-State
co-operative society after conclusion of resolution by the board;]
(b) to interpret the organisational objectives and set-up specific goals to be achieved towards
these objectives;
(c) to make periodic appraisal of operations;
(d) to appoint and remove a Chief Executive and such other employees of the society as are not
required to be appointed by the Chief Executive;
(e) to make provisions for regulating the appointment of employees of the multi-State
co-operative society and the scales of pay, allowances and other conditions of service of, including
disciplinary action against such employees;
1
[Provided that the recruitment of such employees shall be subject to such procedure as may be
prescribed.]
(f) to place the annual report, annual financial statements, annual plan and budget for the approval
of the general body;
(g) to consider audit and compliance report and place the same before the general body;
(h) to acquire or dispose of immovable property;
(i) to review membership in other co-operatives;
(j) to approve annual and supplementary budget;
(k) to raise funds;
(l) to sanction loans to the members; and
(m) to take such other measures or to do such other acts as may be prescribed or required under
this Act or the bye-laws or as may be delegated by the general body.
50. Meeting of board.—(1) The Chief Executive shall convene the meetings of the board at the
instance of the chairperson or president of the multi-State co-operative society.
1. Ins. by Act 11 of 2023, s. 18 (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
29
1
[Provided that where such Chairperson or President fails to direct the Chief Executive to convene the
meeting of the board within the quarter, such Chief Executive shall convene the meeting on the basis of
requisition of the Vice-Chairperson or Vice-President or any other Member of the board:
Provided further that notwithstanding anything contained in the first proviso, the Chief Executive
may also convene the meeting on the basis of requisition from at least fifty per cent. of Members of the
board;]
(2) The total number of meetings of the board in a year and the venue of meetings as may be specified
in the bye-laws:
Provided that the board shall meet at least once in every quarter:
Provided further that not more than two persons may be invited by the board in its meetings.
2
[(3) The Chairperson or President, if for any reason, is unable to attend a meeting of the board, the
Vice-Chairperson or Vice-President and in the absence of both, any other Member of the board chosen by
the Members of the board present from amongst themselves at the meeting, shall preside over the
meeting.
(4) The quorum for a meeting of the board of directors of a multi-State co-operative society shall be
one-third of its total number of elected directors.]
51. Chief Executive.—(1) There shall be a Chief Executive, by whatever designation called, of every
multi-State co-operative society to be appointed by the board and he shall be a full-time employee of such
multi-State co-operative society.
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[(1A) No multi-State co-operative society shall appoint or continue the employment of any person as
the Chief Executive who—
(a) is below the age of twenty-one years or has attained the age of seventy years:
Provided that any person above the age of seventy years may be appointed by a special resolution
passed by three-fourth of the board members, in which case the explanatory statement annexed to the
notice for such motion shall indicate the justification for appointing such person;
(b) is an undischarged insolvent or has any time been adjudged as an insolvent;
(c) has at any time been convicted by a court of an offence and sentenced for a period of more than
six months; or
(d) does not meet the criteria for ‘fit and proper’, as determined by the Central Registrar in case of
multi-State credit societies or in case of non-credit multi-State societies, does not meet the criteria as
Central Government may prescribe in terms of education qualifications and relevant experience.]
(2) The Chief Executive shall be a member of the board and of the Executive Committee and such
other committees or sub-committees as may be constituted under sub-section (1) of section 53.
(3) Where the Central Government or the State Government holds fifty-one per cent. or more of the
equity share capital or of total shares of the multi-State co-operative society, the salary and
allowances payable to and other terms and conditions of service including pension, gratuity and other
retirement benefits of the Chief Executive shall be such as may be prescribed.
52. Powers and functions of Chief Executive.—The Chief Executive shall under the general
superintendence, direction and control of the board, exercise the powers and discharge the functions
specified below, namely:—
(a) day-to-day management of the business of the multi-State co-operative society;
(b) operating the accounts of the multi-State co-operative society and be responsible for making
arrangements for safe custody of cash;
(c) signing on the documents for and on behalf of the multi-State co-operative society;
1. Ins. by Act 11 of 2023, s. 19 (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
2. Subs. by s. 19, ibid., for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
3. Ins. by s. 20, ibid. (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).
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(d) making arrangements for the proper maintenance of various books and records of the
multi-State co-operative society and for the correct preparation, timely submission of periodical
statements and returns in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the rules and the bye-laws;
(e) convening meetings of the general body of the multi-State co-operative society, the board and
the Executive Committee and other committees or sub-committees constituted under sub-section (1)
of section 53 and maintaining proper records for such meetings;
(f) making appointments to the posts in the multi-State co-operative society in accordance with
the bye-laws;
(g) assisting the board in the formulation of policies, objectives and planning;
(h) furnishing to the board periodical information necessary for appraising the operations and
functions of the multi-State co-operative society;
(i) appoint the person to sue or be sued on behalf of the multi-State co-operative society;
(j) present the draft annual report and financial statement for the approval of the board within
1
[forty-five days] of closure of the financial year;
(k) performing such other duties, and exercising such other powers, as may be specified in the
bye-laws of the multi-State co-operative society.
53. Committees of board.—2
[(1) The board may constitute an Executive Committee, and such other
committees or sub-committees as may be specified in the bye-laws of the multi-State co-operative
society:
Provided that the board shall constitute—
(a) an Audit and Ethics Committee;
(b) a Committee on prevention of sexual harassment at work place.]
(2) The Executive Committee or other committee or sub-committee referred to in sub-section (1) shall
perform such functions as are assigned to it in accordance with the bye-laws of the multi-State
co-operative society.
54. Securing possession of records, etc.—(1) If—
(a) the records, including registers and books of account of a multi-State co-operative society are
likely to be tampered with or destroyed or the funds or other property of such society are likely to be
mis-appropriated; or
(b) the board of a multi-State co-operative society is reconstituted at a general meeting of the
society; or
(c) a multi-State co-operative society is ordered to be wound up under section 86 and the
outgoing members of the board refuse to handover charge of the records and property of the society to
those having or entitled to receive such charge,
the Chief Executive may apply to the magistrate within whose jurisdiction the multi-State co-operative
society functions for securing the records and property of the society.
(2) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the magistrate may, by a warrant, authorise any
police officer not below the rank of a sub-inspector to enter and search any place where such records and
property are kept or are believed to be kept and to seize such records and property; and the records and
property so seized shall be handed over to the new board or the liquidator, as the case may be.
(3) Every such search and seizure shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).