No restriction of geographical boundaries

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society shall have the freedom of entry and exit at any tier and there shall be no mandatory restrictions of geographical boundaries for its operations except the area of membership.” 5- 8. Amendment of section 22.~For the colon “(:)" after the end of clause (f) of section 22 of the Principal Act, a semi colon “(;)” shall be substituted and thereafter the following new clause (g) shall be inserted, namely,- *(g) a Self Help Group:™. . 9. Amendment of section 43.- The existing section 43 of the Principal Act shall be renumbered as “43(1)" and thereafter the following new sub-sections (2) and (3) shall be inserted, namely,- “(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1 ). a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society may obtain loans from any Bank or financial institution regulated by the Reserve Bank and refinance from the National Bank or any other refinancing agency directly or through any Reserve Bank regulated financial institution and not necessarily from the federal society to which it is affiliated. (3)(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), every or group holding a minimum deposit of rupees one thousand for a continuous period of minimum two years or such other amount or time as may be prescribed in the bye-Jaws or the rules framed thereunder of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society shall become a member of the society by subscribing the minimum share capital specified in the hye-laws and shall have full membership and voting rights; (b) A group borrower shall become a member of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society by subscribing the minimum share capital specified in the bye-laws and shail have full voting rights; (c) Every group depositor or group borrower admitted as a member shall be entitled to vote through one delegate nominated by the group.”. 10. Amendment of section 44. - After sub-section (2) of section 44 of the Principal Act, the folowing new sub-section (3) shall be inserted, namely, - I" “(3 ) Notwithstanding anything contained in this sub-section (1), a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society or a Long Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society or an Urban Co-operative Bank may take appropriate decisions regarding its loan policies including individual loan policies to its members, keeping in view the interests of the Society and its members: Provided that a depositor member of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society • under sub-section (3) of section 43 shall be eligible on par with other members.”. 11. Amendment of section 45.- For the full stop at the end of section 45 of the Principal Act, a colon shall be substituted and thereafter the following new proviso shall be inserted, namely.- “Provided that in case of a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society, the decision to transact with persons other than members shall be taken by the Society keeping in view the interests of the Society and its members.” : 12 Insertion of a new section 4+5A.- After section 45 of the Principal Act, a new section 45A shall be inserted, namely,- “45A. Manner of prudential norms.- The prudential norms including Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio shall be prescribed by the Registrar for all the Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Societies in consultation with the National Bank.”. 13. Amendment of section 50.-The existing section 50 of the Principal Act shall be renumbered *50(1)" and thereafter a new sub-section (2) shall be inserted, namely, - “(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the State Government's subscription to the share capital of any Short Term Co- operative Credit Structure Society or Long Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society or Urban Co-operative Banks shall not exceed twenty five percent of the total paid-up share capital of such society: Provided that the State Govemment or such Society have option to further reduce the ) State Government equity and the Society shall not be prevented from doing so by the State Government: Provided further that the State Government may contribute equity in excess of the aforesaid limit only if equity infusion is required in the State Co-operative Bank. to enable it to comply - with section 11 of the Barking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949). 14 Insertion of new section 64A. - After section 64 of the Principal Act, the following new section 64A shall be inserted, namely, - “64A. Binding of dirzctions and financial norms.- A primary level Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure or Long Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society shall abide by all directions and financial norms as may be prescribed by the Registrar in consultation with the National Bank and in case of Urban Co-operative Banks all directions and financial norms prescribed by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India.”. 13 Insertion of new section 69A. - After section 69 of the Principal Act, the following new section 69A shall be inserted. namely, - ~69A. Contribution of funds and of dividend.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in . the Act. the Government or the Registrar shall have no powers to direct any Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society to contribute to any fund other than those required for improving the net worth or own funds. . kl 2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Act, a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society may pay dividend in accordance with the guidelines framed by the Registrar in consultation with the National Baok.”. 16. Amendment of section 70.- For the full stop “()" at the end of clause (¢) of section 7 0 of the Principal Act, a colon “(:)” shall be substituted and thereafter the following proviso and new clause (f) chall be inserted, namely,- ’ “provided that this clause shall not be applicable to the Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Societies; : (f) in the matter of Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society, in any Bank or financial institution of its choice, regulated by the Reserve Bank.” 17. Amendment of section 73.- In section 73 of the Principal Act, i) in sub-section (2), for the words «will not apply in the case of Government Nominees”, the words “shall apply to elected Board only” shall be substituted; (if) after sub-section (4), the following new sub-section (5) shall be inserted, namely,- ’ “5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (4), the term of the Board of 2 Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society nominated under sub-section (4) shall not exceed two months from the date of expiry of the term of the existing Board: Provided thatin circumstances beyond contro}, the Government may allow the Board to function upto six months from the date of expiry of the term of the existing Board”. : 18." Amendment of section 73A. - In section 73A of the Principal Act, (0) after sub-section (1), the following new sub-sections (1A) and (1B) shall be inserted; • namely, “(1A) (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the members of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the State Co-operative Bank shall fulfill the criteria stipulated by the Reserve Bank for the time being in force. (b) A member of the Board of the State Co-operative Bank or a person holding the post of Chief Executive Officer who does not fulfill the criteria stipulated by the Reserve Bank shall be treated as ineligible for such post and if such person is holding the post, he shall be removed by the Registrar or the appointing authority, : as the case may be, within two months of being so advised by the Reserve Bank or the National Bank or the State Government. ‘ (1B) (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) there shall be such number of professionals having special or experience in such fields as may be stipulated by the Reserve Bank, on the Board of the State Co-operative Bank and in case such number of elected directors, in the opinion of the Reserve Bank or the National Bank, do not possess special knowledge or experience as stipulated by the Reserve Bank, the Board of such State Co-operative Bank shall co-opt such number of professionals with full voting rights irrespective of - (i) the limit on the number of members of the Board under this Act or Rules framed thereunder or in the Bye-laws of such State Co-operative Bank, (if) whether such professional is a member of the State Co-operative Bank or not; (b) if any person who in the opinion of the Reserve Bank, has ‘been co-opted as amember of the Board under clause ( a) of this sub- section without having requisite knowledge or experience as stipulated by the Reserve Bank, he shall, on being advised by the State Government or the Reserve Bank or the National Bank, be removed from the office after _ givinghim a reasonable opportunity of being heard.”; (I) after sub-section (4), the following new sub-section (5) shall be inserted, namely,- / - (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (4), no person shall be elected, nominated or co-opted or allowed to continue as a member of the Board of a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society, if he:- (i) isaperson who represents a Society other than a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society on the Board of the State Co-operative Bank, if such Society to whom he represents has committed a default towards the payments of such Bank for a period exceeding ninety days, (ii) isa person who committed a default towards the payments to a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society or represents a Primary Agricultural Co- operative Credit Society on the Board of the State Co-operative Bank, if such Society whom he represents has committed a default towards the payments of such Bank for a period exceeding one year,’ A (iif) is a person who represents a Society ‘whose Board is superseded.” . 19." Amendment of section 74. - In section 74 of the Principal Act,- : (i) after sub-section (2), the following new sub-section (2A) shall be inserted, namely, (2A) (a) Nothing contained in sub-section (2) shall apply to a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society and the Chief Executive Officer of such Society shall be appointed by its Board; (b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be only one nominee of the Government in the Board of the State Co-operative Bank or the State Land Development Co-operative Bank, if the Government has subscribed to its share capital and there shall be no nominee of the Government in the Board of a Primary : Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society irrespective of Government's subscription to the share capital.”; : (ii) after sub-section (3), the following new sub-section (4) shall be inserted, namely, *(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), there shall be no cadre system in Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society and Long Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society and cadre system in such : Society shall be abolished forthwith.”. 20. Amendment of section 78. - In section 78 of the Principal Act, - () in sub-section (1), in between the words “not functioning properly” and “the Registrar may”, the words “or in the case of State Co-operative Bank or the State Land Development Co-operative Bank does not comply with the regulatory prescriptions of the National Bank or the Reserve Bank of India, or does not fulfill the fit and proper criteria stipulated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development or the Reserve Bank of India and a request has been received from the National Bank or the Reserve Bank of : India to this effect,” shall be inserted; (I) after sub-section (1), the following new sub-sections (1A),(1B), (IC) and (ID) shall be inserted, namely,- “(JA) The supersession of the Board of the State Co-operative Bank shall be done by the State Government with prior consultation of the Reserve Bank only. (IB) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the supersession of the Board of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society shall be done by the Registrar on the following grounds:- @) if the Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society incurs losses for three consecutive years, Or (i) if serious financial irregularities or frauds have been identified, or (iii) if there are judicial directives to this effect, or (iv) if there is lack of quorum for three consecutive meetings. (1C) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Registrar shall ensure conduct elections. to a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society, Long Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society and Urban Co-operative Banks within two months from the date of supersession: i Provided that in circumstances beyond control, the Government may allow holding of such elections within a period not exceeding six months from the date of supersession. (1D) Amember of the Board of: a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society which has been superseded under clauses (i) and (ii) of sub-section (IB) of this section shall not’ be entitled to contest the election again for a period of three consecutive years from the date of supersession.” .

5- 8. Amendment of section 22.~For the colon “(:)" after the end of clause (f) of section 22 of the Principal Act, a semi colon “(;)” shall be substituted and thereafter the following new clause (g) shall be inserted, namely,- *(g) a Self Help Group:™. . 9. Amendment of section 43.- The existing section 43 of the Principal Act shall be renumbered as “43(1)" and thereafter the following new sub-sections (2) and (3) shall be inserted, namely,- “(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1 ). a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society may obtain loans from any Bank or financial institution regulated by the Reserve Bank and refinance from the National Bank or any other refinancing agency directly or through any Reserve Bank regulated financial institution and not necessarily from the federal society to which it is affiliated. (3)(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), every or group holding a minimum deposit of rupees one thousand for a continuous period of minimum two years or such other amount or time as may be prescribed in the bye-Jaws or the rules framed thereunder of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society shall become a member of the society by subscribing the minimum share capital specified in the hye-laws and shall have full membership and voting rights;

1. (b) A group borrower shall become a member of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society by subscribing the minimum share capital specified in the bye-laws and shail have full voting rights;
2. (c) Every group depositor or group borrower admitted as a member shall be entitled to vote through one delegate nominated by the group.”. 10. Amendment of section 44. - After sub-section (2) of section 44 of the Principal Act, the folowing new sub-section (3) shall be inserted, namely, - I" “(3 ) Notwithstanding anything contained in this sub-section (1), a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society or a Long Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society or an Urban Co-operative Bank may take appropriate decisions regarding its loan policies including individual loan policies to its members, keeping in view the interests of the Society and its members: Provided that a depositor member of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society
   • • under sub-section (3) of section 43 shall be eligible on par with other members.”. 11. Amendment of section 45.- For the full stop at the end of section 45 of the Principal Act, a colon shall be substituted and thereafter the following new proviso shall be inserted, namely.- “Provided that in case of a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society, the decision to transact with persons other than members shall be taken by the Society keeping in view the interests of the Society and its members.” : 12 Insertion of a new section 4+5A.- After section 45 of the Principal Act, a new section 45A shall be inserted, namely,- “45A. Manner of prudential norms.- The prudential norms including Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio shall be prescribed by the Registrar for all the Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Societies in consultation with the National Bank.”. 13. Amendment of section 50.-The existing section 50 of the Principal Act shall be renumbered *50(1)" and thereafter a new sub-section (2) shall be inserted, namely, - “(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the State Government's subscription to the share capital of any Short Term Co- operative Credit Structure Society or Long Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society or Urban Co-operative Banks shall not exceed twenty five percent of the total paid-up share capital of such society: Provided that the State Govemment or such Society have option to further reduce the ) State Government equity and the Society shall not be prevented from doing so by the State Government: Provided further that the State Government may contribute equity in excess of the aforesaid limit only if equity infusion is required in the State Co-operative Bank. to enable it to comply - with section 11 of the Barking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949). 14 Insertion of new section 64A. - After section 64 of the Principal Act, the following new section 64A shall be inserted, namely, - “64A. Binding of dirzctions and financial norms.- A primary level Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure or Long Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society shall abide by all directions and financial norms as may be prescribed by the Registrar in consultation with the National Bank and in case of Urban Co-operative Banks all directions and financial norms prescribed by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India.”. 13 Insertion of new section 69A. - After section 69 of the Principal Act, the following new section 69A shall be inserted. namely, - ~69A. Contribution of funds and of dividend.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in . the Act. the Government or the Registrar shall have no powers to direct any Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society to contribute to any fund other than those required for improving the net worth or own funds. . kl 2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Act, a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society may pay dividend in accordance with the guidelines framed by the Registrar in consultation with the National Baok.”. 16. Amendment of section 70.- For the full stop “()" at the end of clause (¢) of section 7 0 of the Principal Act, a colon “(:)” shall be substituted and thereafter the following proviso and new clause (f) chall be inserted, namely,- ’ “provided that this clause shall not be applicable to the Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Societies; :
3. (f) in the matter of Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society, in any Bank or financial institution of its choice, regulated by the Reserve Bank.” 17. Amendment of section 73.- In section 73 of the Principal Act, i) in sub-section (2), for the words «will not apply in the case of Government Nominees”, the words “shall apply to elected Board only” shall be substituted;
4. (if) after sub-section (4), the following new sub-section (5) shall be inserted, namely,- ’ “5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (4), the term of the Board of 2 Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society nominated under sub-section (4) shall not exceed two months from the date of expiry of the term of the existing Board: Provided thatin circumstances beyond contro}, the Government may allow the Board to function upto six months from the date of expiry of the term of the existing Board”. : 18." Amendment of section 73A. - In section 73A of the Principal Act,

1. (0) after sub-section (1), the following new sub-sections (1A) and (1B) shall be inserted;
   • • namely, “(1A) (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the members of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the State Co-operative Bank shall fulfill the criteria stipulated by the Reserve Bank for the time being in force.
   • (b) A member of the Board of the State Co-operative Bank or a person holding the post of Chief Executive Officer who does not fulfill the criteria stipulated by the Reserve Bank shall be treated as ineligible for such post and if such person is holding the post, he shall be removed by the Registrar or the appointing authority, : as the case may be, within two months of being so advised by the Reserve Bank or the National Bank or the State Government. ‘ (1B) (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) there shall be such number of professionals having special or experience in such fields as may be stipulated by the Reserve Bank, on the Board of the State Co-operative Bank and in case such number of elected directors, in the opinion of the Reserve Bank or the National Bank, do not possess special knowledge or experience as stipulated by the Reserve Bank, the Board of such State Co-operative Bank shall co-opt such number of professionals with full voting rights irrespective of -
     • (i) the limit on the number of members of the Board under this Act or Rules framed thereunder or in the Bye-laws of such State Co-operative Bank,
   • (if) whether such professional is a member of the State Co-operative Bank or not;
   • (b) if any person who in the opinion of the Reserve Bank, has ‘been co-opted as amember of the Board under clause ( a) of this sub- section without having requisite knowledge or experience as stipulated by the Reserve Bank, he shall, on being advised by the State Government or the Reserve Bank or the National Bank, be removed from the office after _ givinghim a reasonable opportunity of being heard.”;
     • (I) after sub-section (4), the following new sub-section (5) shall be inserted, namely,- / -
2. (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (4), no person shall be elected, nominated or co-opted or allowed to continue as a member of the Board of a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society, if he:-
   • (i) isaperson who represents a Society other than a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society on the Board of the State Co-operative Bank, if such Society to whom he represents has committed a default towards the payments of such Bank for a period exceeding ninety days,
   • (ii) isa person who committed a default towards the payments to a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society or represents a Primary Agricultural Co- operative Credit Society on the Board of the State Co-operative Bank, if such Society whom he represents has committed a default towards the payments of such Bank for a period exceeding one year,’ A
   • (iif) is a person who represents a Society ‘whose Board is superseded.” . 19." Amendment of section 74. - In section 74 of the Principal Act,- :
     • (i) after sub-section (2), the following new sub-section (2A) shall be inserted, namely, (2A) (a) Nothing contained in sub-section (2) shall apply to a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society and the Chief Executive Officer of such Society shall be appointed by its Board;
   • (b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be only one nominee of the Government in the Board of the State Co-operative Bank or the State Land Development Co-operative Bank, if the Government has subscribed to its share capital and there shall be no nominee of the Government in the Board of a Primary : Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society irrespective of Government's subscription to the share capital.”; :
     • (ii) after sub-section (3), the following new sub-section (4) shall be inserted, namely, *(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), there shall be no cadre system in Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society and Long Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society and cadre system in such : Society shall be abolished forthwith.”. 20. Amendment of section 78. - In section 78 of the Principal Act, - () in sub-section (1), in between the words “not functioning properly” and “the Registrar may”, the words “or in the case of State Co-operative Bank or the State Land Development Co-operative Bank does not comply with the regulatory prescriptions of the National Bank or the Reserve Bank of India, or does not fulfill the fit and proper criteria stipulated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development or the Reserve Bank of India and a request has been received from the National Bank or the Reserve Bank of : India to this effect,” shall be inserted;
     • (I) after sub-section (1), the following new sub-sections (1A),(1B), (IC) and (ID) shall be inserted, namely,- “(JA) The supersession of the Board of the State Co-operative Bank shall be done by the State Government with prior consultation of the Reserve Bank only.
   • (IB) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the supersession of the Board of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society shall be done by the Registrar on the following grounds:- @) if the Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society incurs losses for three consecutive years, Or
     • (i) if serious financial irregularities or frauds have been identified, or
     • (iii) if there are judicial directives to this effect, or
     • (iv) if there is lack of quorum for three consecutive meetings. (1C) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Registrar shall ensure conduct elections. to a Short Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society, Long Term Co-operative Credit Structure Society and Urban Co-operative Banks within two months from the date of supersession: i Provided that in circumstances beyond control, the Government may allow holding of such elections within a period not exceeding six months from the date of supersession. (1D) Amember of the Board of: a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society which has been superseded under clauses (i) and (ii) of sub-section (IB) of this section shall not’ be entitled to contest the election again for a period of three consecutive years from the date of supersession.” .