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Interstate Co-operative Registration

The Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act (MSCS Act) is legislation which provides a regulatory mechanism for cooperative societies. The Act applies to cooperative societies which conduct operations in multiple states. The Act mentions the procedure to register a multi-state cooperative society and the contents which should be available in the bye-laws of a cooperative society. The Act also specifies the other regulatory guidelines which should be followed by all cooperative societies registered under the Act. Registration under the MSCS Act is voluntary. However, the Act mentions the grounds under which registration becomes necessary.

Cooperative societies are listed under list II of the seventh schedule to the Indian Constitution. Hence, cooperative societies fall under the category of a state subject. As a result, the state governments have the right to form laws governing cooperative societies. The state governments formulate laws for cooperative societies depending upon the circumstances unique to each state. Thus, the MSCS Act is a legal framework which applies in addition to the cooperative society laws passed by the various states.

The advantage of registering under the MSCS Act is similar to the benefits acquired by registering a company. A registered multi-state cooperative society has the privileges of limited liability, separate legal identity, and the ability of members to transfer their membership. Government-owned companies are allowed to subscribe for membership in a registered multi-state cooperative society. Contribution of capital by the government enhances the credit-worthiness of the cooperative society.

Objectives of the MSCS Act

  • To encourage the public to form cooperative societies voluntarily
  • To provide a legal platform which allows cooperative societies to function as democratic institutions
  • To enable the members of cooperative societies to promote their social and economic betterment
  • To provide functional autonomy for matters connected with governance and administration of cooperative societies
  • To facilitate the achievement of the common economic interest for which the cooperative society was formed
  • To serve the interests of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category of citizens and empowering them to derive economic benefit through the principle of self-help and mutual help
  • To establish a framework for the provision of monetary support to the members during times of financial distress
  • To formulate and implement guidelines for the formation of cooperative societies among agriculturists, artisans and individuals having limited means to sell the products manufactured

Contents of Bye-Laws

  • The bye-laws of a cooperative society are the provisions which define its roles and functions. The bye-laws are agreed upon by the members at the time of forming the society. Once the bye-laws are registered, any change can be made only after obtaining the approval of the registrar. The MSCS Act provides the guidelines on the contents which should be available in the bye-laws. The contents should include the following:

    • The states in which the cooperative society is conducting its operations
    • The scope of business and objectives of the cooperative society
    • The services which the cooperative society is providing to its members
    • The eligibility criteria and procedure which should be followed for obtaining membership in the cooperative society, and also for cancellation and transfer of membership
    • The rights and obligations among the members towards each other and also towards the cooperative society
    • The maximum amount of capital which a member is eligible to subscribe
    • The sources from which the cooperative society is eligible to raise funds and the purposes towards which the funds can be applied
    • The officers who are authorised to sign documents and enter into agreements on behalf of the cooperative society
    • The powers and functions of the promoter of the cooperative society
    • The provisions relating to the appointment and removal of auditors
    • The nomination procedures which should be followed in case of death of a member
    • The provisions granting authority to the cooperative society to levy penalty from members

Circumstances for Mandatory Registration

  • Registration of cooperative societies is not mandatory under the MSCS Act. Registration is required only under the following circumstances:

    • When there is a need to hold property and enter into contracts in the name of the society
    • When there is a need to initiate and defend suits and other legal proceedings in the name of the society
    • When the members of the cooperative society are residing in more than one state
    • When there is a need to advance loans exceeding five thousand rupees to the members of the society without sanction from the registrar
    • When there is a need to advance loan to another cooperative society after obtaining permission from the registrar
    • When there is a need to obtain loans from banks by pledging property in its name
    • When the members of the cooperative society who are residing in a particular state exceeds fifty
    • When another cooperative society is proposed to be enrolled as a member of a cooperative society

Conditions for Registration

Registration of cooperative societies is not mandatory under the MSCS Act. Registration is required only under the following circumstances:

    • When there is a need to hold property and enter into contracts in the name of the society
    • When there is a need to initiate and defend suits and other legal proceedings in the name of the society
    • When the members of the cooperative society are residing in more than one state
    • When there is a need to advance loans exceeding five thousand rupees to the members of the society without sanction from the registrar
    • When there is a need to advance loan to another cooperative society after obtaining permission from the registrar
    • When there is a need to obtain loans from banks by pledging property in its name
    • When the members of the cooperative society who are residing in a particular state exceeds fifty
    • When another cooperative society is proposed to be enrolled as a member of a cooperative society
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