MANAGEMENT OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES

 Cooperative management is a democratic process, involving two wings: the general body and
the managing committee.
 The general body holds final authority, but a smaller body with elected or selected delegates
can exercise the same powers.
 Each delegate has one vote in the society's affairs, despite sub-section (2) of section 24.

Annual General Meeting of Co-operative Society

 Co-operative societies must hold a general meeting within six months of the year's account
date.
 The meeting is for approval of the society's activities, election of committee members,
consideration of audit and annual reports, disposal of net profit, and other matters as per bye-
laws.
 The Registrar can extend the meeting period for up to three months.
 If no extension is necessary or the meeting isn't called within the extended period, the Registrar
may call the meeting, which is considered a general meeting.
 The committee must present a statement detailing any loans given to committee members
during the previous year.

Special General Meeting

 The committee can call a special general meeting at any time.

 The meeting must be called within one month after receiving a written requisition from the
Registrar or a specified number of members.
 If a meeting isn't called, the Registrar or authorized person can call it.The Registrar may order
that the meeting's expenditure be paid from the society's funds or from those responsible for the
meeting's refusal or failure.

Managing committee

 As per Section 28(1) the general body of a co-operative society shall constitute a committee for a
period not exceeding five years in accordance with Act, rules and Bye-laws and entrust the
management, the affairs of the society to such committee.
 The maximum number of members of the committe shall not exceed 15 and minimum is not less than
7 in the case of primarysocieties and 25 in other societies.

Adhoc Committee

 In case of new society, the person who have signed the application to register the society may appoint
a committe to conduct the affairs of the society. This is known as adhoc committee. This committe will
be in power for a period of 3 months from the date of registration. The registrar may extend the
period of such committee if necessary.

Functions of managing committee

 To formulate plans for the development of the society
 to frame policies, procedures etc for the attainment of the goals of the society.
 Building organisational structure and create proper climate for its successful working
 to take timely and appropriate decisions and also render directions and guidance for the
effective implementation of these decisions.
  To exercise control over financial and administrative matters.
 To co-ordinate the various activities of the society

Powers of managing committee

 election of office bearers
 admission of members and allocation of shares
 to raise necessary funds in the forms of deposits and loans
 to convene the general body meeting
 to arrange for the proper maintenance of accounts of the society
 to appoint, control and supervise the staff
 to constitute he sub committee
 to sanction transfer of shares and withdrawal of shares
 to decide on how to invest the funds of the society

Kerala State Co-operative Election Commission

The Kerala State Co-operative Election Commission, established by the government under G.O (P)
No.11/2002/Co-op dated 16.01.2001 and G.O (P) No.52/2001/Co-op dated 07.03.2001, has been in
operation since March 2001, tasked with supervising, directing, controlling, and conducting elections
for credit, Apex, and federal societies across Kerala.

Election and Nomination of Committee Members

 Supervision and control of electoral roll preparation and conduct of committees are vested in
returning officers.
 Voting at these elections is conducted by secret ballot.
 The term of office for elected members is not exceeding three co-operative years, as specified
in the society's bye-laws.
 Eligible members continue to hold office until their successors are elected or nominated.
 Disqualifications for election include holding any office on a committee for two consecutive
terms, holding any office on another co-operative society, or holding any office on committees
of three or more co-operative societies.
 This sub-section does not disqualify a person for election as a delegate or member of another
committee.

Cooperative Society Elections and Nominations

• If a person holds an office at the commencement of the Act and is re-elected, they are considered to
have held the office for one term before the election.
• A person who has ceased to hold an office for one full term is again qualified for election.
• Two seats are reserved on the committee of co-operative societies, one for members belonging to the
Scheduled Castes and one for economically weaker sections of members. If no such members are
elected, the committee will co-opt the required number of members.
• In a primary agricultural credit society, seats not less than half of the total members will be reserved
for members belonging to the Scheduled Castes and economically weaker sections.
• Disputes regarding the election of committee members will be referred to the Lieutenant-Governor,
who can make rules to regulate matters in respect of committee elections.
• The Central Government or authorized person can nominate on the committee if the Central
Government has subscribed to the share capital of a co-operative society.
• Financing institutions can nominate one person on the committee.
Cooperative Society Records and Property Security

• Cooperative societies' records, registers, and accounts can be seized if they are likely to be tampered
with, destroyed, or misappropriated.
• If the committee is reconstituted, removed, or wound up, the Registrar can apply to the magistrate for
securing the society's records and property.
• The magistrate can authorize a police officer to search any place where records and property are kept
and seize them.
• Seized records and property will be handed over to the new committee, administrator, or liquidator.
• Cooperative societies' acts are not invalidated by defects in procedure, constitution, appointment, or
election, or on the grounds of disqualification.

Powers of general body

 Conduct election to the managing committee and dismiss the members of managing committee.
 To conduct discussion and decision on the annual accounts
 To conduct division of profit as per Act, Rules and Byelaws
 The maximum liability of the society is to be restricted as per the rules.
 To pass the annual budget of the society
 Approval of annual report
 To discuss other matters directed by the president
 To keep aside those members who is working against the society
 To dismiss a member

Functions of general body

 To consider the note given by the registrar or his authorised representative and the report of the
managing committee on such note.
 To discuss complaint raised on a member
 To discuss the matter relating to member in respect of delisting or expulsion
 To discuss the progress report of the society from the last general body till the date of presenting
meeting
 To amend bye-laws as per the Act and rules
 To perform all those measures directed by the bye-laws
 To take decision on such other matters on the agenda

Co-operative Society Privileges

• Co-operative societies are registered bodies with perpetual succession and a common seal.
• They have the power to hold property, enter into contracts, institute and defend legal proceedings,
and perform all necessary functions.
• Any debt or outstanding demand owed by a member, past member, or deceased member is a first
charge.
• The charge applies to crops, agricultural produce, cattle, fodder, agricultural or industrial implements,
machinery, raw materials, and articles manufactured from raw materials.
• Transfer of property subject to the charge requires written permission from the society holding the
charge.
• Any transfer of property contrary to the provisions of sub-section (2) is void.
• The charge is available against any government claim arising from any loan granted by the society
after the society's loan.