Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 7: High court judge Alok Aradhe has directed Registrar Cooperative Societies to conduct polls of the multi-purpose cooperative societies, whose term has expired, within one month.
The judge, after hearing both the sides, disposed of the petitions with the direction that since the elections 'have not been conducted as notified earlier, Registrar Cooperative Societies will take steps to conduct them in respect of the managements and boards of committees whose term has expired in terms of section 29 of the Act within one month and complete the process of election within two months'.
In a bunch of petitions, the petitioners have assailed the validity of SRO 236 of April 25, 2013 by which Rule 16 J&K Cooperative Societies Rules has been amended.
The petitioner is the secretary of Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Jakh. He submitted that J&K Cooperative Societies Act 1989 was enacted with an object to give complete internal autonomy. Under section 176 of the Act, the state government has power to frame rules.
He submitted that the government under the Act framed J&K Cooperative Societies Rules 2001. It is averred in the petition that under Rule 16 of Rules, elections of members of the committee, ie Board of Society, other than Agricultural Credit Society, shall be held on such date as may be specified by the registrar and conducted under the control of assistant commissioner (revenue). It was submitted that since there was direct interference of the state government and autonomous character of society was being jeopardized, SRO 1 of January 4, 2005 was promulgated and amendment. (JNF) |
