Telangana Co-operative Societies Act, 1964

(1) This Act may be called the Telangana Co-operative Societies Act, 1964. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Telangana. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may by notification in the Telangana Gazette, appoint.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) (i) ‘authorised person‘ means a person referred to as such in section 79 of this Act; (ii) ‘bye-laws‘ means the registered bye-laws for the time being in force; (b) ‘committee‘ means the governing body of a Cooperative Society by whatever name called, to which the (c) ‘Co-operative year / Financial Year‘ means, the period commencing on the 1st day of April of every year and ending with the 31st day of March of the succeeding year; (d) ‘dividend‘ means a share of the profits of a society divided among its members in proportion to the share capital held by each of them; (e) ‘federal society‘ means a society to which similar class of societies are affiliated; (e-i) ‘multi-state cooperative society‘ means a society with objects not confined to one State and registered or deemed to be registered under any law for the time being in force relating to such Co-operatives; (f) ‘financing bank‘ means a society, the main object of which is to assist any affiliated or other society by giving loans or advancing moneys; and includes any scheduled bank as defined in the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and such other body corporate or financial institution as may be notified by the Government, from time to time, which gives financial or other aid to a society; (g) ‘general body‘ in relation to any society means all the members of the society; (h) ‘general meeting‘ means a meeting of the general body of a society; (i) ‘Government‘ means the State Government; (i-a) ‘gram panchayat‘ means a gram panchayat constituted under section 4 of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act 1994; (j) ‘member‘ means a member of a society, and includes an associate member; (j-i) ‘Mandal Praja Parishad‘ means a Mandal Praja Parishad constituted under section 148 of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 1994; (j-ii) ‘Municipal Corporation‘ means a Municipal Corporation constituted under the relevant law for the time being in force relating to the Municipal Corporations in the State; (j-iii) ‘Municipal Council‘ means a Municipal Council constituted under section 5 of the Telangana Municipalities Act, 1965; (j-iv) ‘near relative‘ means father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, son, son-in-law, daughter, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew and niece; (k) ‘officer‘ includes a person elected or appointed by a society to any office of such society according to its bye-laws and a president, vice-president, chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, manager, member of committee, liquidator or any other person elected or appointed under this Act, the rules or the bye-laws, to give directions in regard to the business of the society; (k-i) ‘office bearer‘ means a President / Chairperson, Vice-President / Vice-Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer of a Co-operative society and includes any other person to be elected by the Board of any Co-operative society; (l) ‘prescribed‘ means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (m) ‘rebate‘ means a share of the profits of a society divided among its members in proportion to the volume of business done by each of them with the society; (n) ‘Registrar‘ means the Central Registrar appointed by the Central Government in relation to the multi-State co-operative societies, the Registrar of Co-operative societies appointed under section 3 in relation to this Act as the case may be and includes any other person on whom all or any of the powers of the Registrar under this Act are conferred; (o) ‘rules‘ means the rules made under this Act; (p) ‘society‘ means a co-operative society registered / deemed to have been registered under this Act / Societies registered under Telangana Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies Act and received land from Government either free of cost or at subsidized price or at market rate and thus deemed to have been registered under this Act; (q) ‘Society with limited liability‘ means a society in which the liability of its members for the debts of the society, in the event of its being wound up, is limited by its bye-laws- (i) to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares held by each of them; or (ii) to such amount as they may undertake to contribute to the assets of the society; (r) ‘society with unlimited liability‘ means a society, the members of which are in the event of its being wound up, jointly and severally liable for and in respect of, all its obligations and to contribute to any deficit in the assets of the society; (s) ‘State‘ means the State of Telangana; (s-i) ‘State Act‘ means any law made by the Legislature of a State; (s-ii) ‘State level co-operative society‘ means a co-operative society having its area of operation extending to the whole of the State; (t) ‘Tribunal‘ means a Tribunal constituted under section 75 and having jurisdiction; (u) ‘Zilla Praja Parishad‘ means a Zilla Praja Parishad constituted under section 177 of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. (2) (a) No person shall, at the same time, be a member of the committees of more than two societies which under the rules, are classified as apex societies or as central societies, or of the committees of more than one apex society and one central society.

(b) If any person, on the date of his election or appointment as a member of the committee, is a member of the committees for two societies as specified in clause (a), and the committee to which he is elected or appointed on that date is the committee of any apex society or central society, then, his election or appointment on the date aforesaid shall be void.

(c) If any person is, at the commencement of the Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 1970, a member of the committees of more than two societies of any class or classes specified in clause (a), then at the expiration of the period of ninety days from such commencement, he shall cease to be a member of the committees of all such societies unless he has, before the expiration of the said period of ninety days, resigned his membership of the committees of all but two of such societies.

(d) Nothing in this sub-section shall apply to an officer of the Government who is nominated as a member of the committee by the Government or the Registrar.

(1) There shall be appointed a Registrar of Co-operative Societies for the State and as many other persons as the Government think fit for the purposes of this Act. (2) Every other person appointed under sub-section (1) shall exercise under the general superintendence of the Registrar, such powers of the Registrar under this Act as the Government may, from time to time, confer on him.

(1) A society which has, as its main object, the promotion of the economic interests of its members in accordance with the co-operative principles, as may be prescribed or a society established with the object of facilitating the operation of such a society, may be registered under this Act. (2) Every society registered or deemed to be registered under this Act shall function subject to such directions as may be issued by the Registrar, from time to time, in the interests of the co-operative movement or the public interest or in order to prevent the affairs of the society from being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of the members or of the depositors or creditors thereof, and the society shall comply with such directions.

(1) A society may be registered with limited or unlimited liability, but the liability of a society of which any member is a society shall be limited: Provided that where a financing bank becomes a member of a society with unlimited liability, the liability of that society may continue to be unlimited. (2) The liability of the Government, a financing bank or a federal society having shares in a society, whether with limited or unlimited liability shall be limited to the share capital subscribed by the Government, such financing bank or federal society, as the case may be. (3) The name of every society shall contain the expression “Co-operative” or its equivalent in any Indian language and in the case of every society with limited liability, the name of the society shall also have its suffix the expression “Limited” or its equivalent in any Indian language.

(1) An application for the registration of a society shall be made to the Registrar in such form and with such particulars as may, from time to time, be specified by the Registrar. (2) Every such application shall conform to the following requirements, namely:- (a) the application shall be accompanied by:- (i) The original and one copy of the proposed bye-laws of the society as adopted by the applicants along with a proof of identity and proof of residence and any other proof of all the applicants as prescribed by the Registrar; (ii) a true copy of the minutes of the meeting at which the bye-laws were adopted duly signed by the applicants; (iii) a sworn statement from each applicant that he is a member of a different family and particulars furnished in the application from prescribed are true to the best of his knowledge and belief; (b) where all the applicants are individuals, the number of applicants shall not be less than twenty one, each being a member of a different family, and everyone of them shall possess eligibility to become a member as required under sub-section (1) of section 19; Explanation:-For the purposes of this clause, the expression “member of a family” means a wife, husband, father, mother, grand-father grand-mother, step-father, step-mother, son, daughter, step-son, step-daughter, grand-son, grand-daughter, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, and wife of brother or half-brother;

Where a society is registered, the Registrar shall issue a certificate of registration signed and sealed by him which shall be conclusive evidence that the society mentioned therein, is a society duly registered under this Act, unless it is proved that the registration of the society has been cancelled.

Every society which has been issued a certificate of registration under section 8 of this Act and it shall be renewed for every 5 years. The renewal by Registrar is subject to the satisfaction that,- (a) the society updated its accounts and got them audited as per the provisions of this Act; (b) the society conducted elections as per the provisions of this Act; (c) the society not violated any provisions of Act, Rules, Bye-laws; (d) all members underwent member education programme and certified as such by the Telangana State Co-operative Union: Provided that if the society fails to renew its registration under this section, the Registrar may on his own initiate necessary action for compliance. In case of non compliance, Registrar may cancel the certificate of registration issued to the society U/s. 8 of this Act and initiate winding up proceedings U/s.64(2) of this Act: Provided further that provisions of this section are not applicable to the eligible Coop. Banks as defined in section 115-A of this Act and Coop. Credit Society as defined under section 115-C.

The registration of a society shall render it a body corporate by the name under which it is registered having perpetual succession and a common seal. The society is entitled to acquire, hold and dispose property to enter into contracts on its behalf, to institute and defend suits and other legal proceedings and to do all other things necessary for the purposes for which it was constituted.

Where the Government extends State aid as specified under section 43 of the Act, such society shall not dispose of or create any charge over its property without the prior approval of the Registrar and the consent of the federal society or financing bank concerned as the case may be.

(1) The Registrar shall, at any time, of his own motion and after giving the society an opportunity of making its representation, if any, by order, de-register a society which is in existence for a period not exceeding four years from the date of its registration,- (i) where the membership of the society falls short of the minimum number prescribed for registration of such society; or (ii) where the society has not commenced working within the prescribed period or has ceased to work; or (iii) where in the opinion of the Registrar, the society is conducting its affairs in contravention of the cooperative principles or in violation of the provisions of the Act, rules and bye-laws made there under or in a manner detrimental to the interest of its members or the promotion of the object for which it has been registered; or (iv) where the society has been registered by fraud or misrepresentation of facts. (2) A society, de-registered under sub-section (1), shall cease to conduct its business forthwith from the date of such order.

(1) Where a society is de-registered under section 9-B, the Registrar shall, appoint an official assignee for winding up of the affairs of the society and fix his remuneration in the manner prescribed. (2) On the appointment of an official assignee, the property, assets, effects and actionable claims or liabilities of the society as on the date of appointment shall vest in or devolve on the official assignee. He shall take such steps as he may deem necessary or expedient to prevent loss or deterioration of, or damage to, such property, assets, effects and actionable claims. (3) Subject to the control of the Registrar, the official assignee shall have the power,- (a) to institute and defend suits and other legal proceedings on behalf of the society by the name of his office; (b) to realise the assets of the society, by sale or otherwise; (c) to determine, from time to time, the contribution to be made or remaining to be made and the debts due by the members or past members or by the estates or nominees, heirs or legal representatives of deceased members or by any officers or former officers to the society; (d) to investigate all claims against the society, and subject to the provisions of this Act, to decide questions of priority arising between claimants; (e) to pay claims against the society including interest upto the date of winding up according to their respective priorities, if any, in full or rateably, as the assets of the society may permit, the surplus, if any, remaining after payment of the claims, being applied in payment of interest from the date of such order of winding up at a rate fixed by him but not exceeding the contractual rate in any case; (f) to determine by what persons and in what proportion the costs of liquidation are to be borne; (g) to determine whether any person is a member, past member or nominee of deceased member; (h) to give such directions in regard to the collection and distribution of the assets of the society as may appear to him to be necessary for winding up the affairs of the society; (i) with the previous approval of the prescribed authority, to make any compromise or arrangement with creditors or persons claiming to be creditors or having or alleging to have any claim present or future, whereby the society may be rendered liable; and (j) with the previous approval of the prescribed authority, to compromise all calls or liabilities to any calls and debts and liabilities capable of resulting in debts and all claims present or future, certain or contingent, subsisting or alleged to subsist between the society and a contributory or alleged contributory or other debtor or person apprehending liability to the society and all questions in any way relating to or affecting the assets or the winding up of the society on such terms as may be agreed and take any security for the discharge of any such call, liability, debt or claim and give a complete discharge in respect thereof. (4) Any sum ordered under this section to be recovered as a contribution to the assets of a society or as costs of liquidation may be recovered, on a requisition being made in this behalf by the Registrar to the Collector in the same manner as arrears of land revenue. (5) Save as provided in sub-section (4), orders made under this section shall, on application, be enforced by any Civil Court having local jurisdiction in the same manner as a decree of such Court. (6) The official assignee shall continue to exercise his powers until the affairs of the society are completely wound up when he shall make a report to the Registrar and deposit the records of the society in such place as the Registrar may direct. (7) The winding up proceedings under this section shall be closed within a period of one year from the date of the order of de-registration of a society, and the said period may, at the discretion of the Registrar, be extended from time to time, so however, that the total period does not exceed two years in the aggregate, and after the expiry of the said period, it shall be deemed that the winding up proceedings have been terminated and the Registrar shall pass an order terminating the winding up proceedings. On the termination of the winding up proceedings, the official assignee shall make a report to the Registrar. (8) Where the affairs of a society have been completely wound up, after considering the report of the official assignee under sub-section (6) or sub-section (7), the Registrar shall by order in writing cancel the registration of the society. The society shall cease to exist as a corporate body from the date of such order.

(1) A society may, by an amendment of its bye-laws, change its name. (2) The change of name of a society shall not affect any rights or obligations of the society, or render defective any legal proceedings by or against it; and any legal proceedings which might have been continued or commenced by or against the society by its former name may be continued or commenced by its new name.

Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules, a society may, by a resolution, decide to amend its bye-laws to change the form or extent of its liability.

(1) A society may, by a resolution decide to- (a) transfer its assets and liabilities in whole or in part to any other society which agrees to such transfer by a resolution; or (b) divide itself into two or more societies; or (c) convert itself into a society of a class different from the one to which it belongs. (2) Any two or more societies may, by a resolution, decide to amalgamate themselves and form a new society: Provided that where a society under sub-section (1) is a member or two or more societies under sub-section (2) are members of a federal society or in receipt of assistance from a financing bank, such society or societies shall obtain prior consent of the federal society or financing bank for any resolution under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) as the case may be. (3) Every resolution of a society under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be passed at the general meeting by a majority of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting, and such resolution shall contain all particulars of the transfer, division, amalgamation or conversion as the case may be. (12) No suit or other legal proceeding shall be instituted or maintained or continued in any civil court, tribunal or other authority in respect of any order made under this section.

(13) It shall be competent for the Government to make rules and to give such directions as they deem fit to the Registrar to carry out the provisions of this section.

Explanation:- For the purpose of this section,-

(a) "sick co-operative society" means a co-operative society which has,-

(i) the accumulated losses in any financial year equal to fifty per cent or more of its average net worth during four years immediately preceding such financial year; or

(ii) fail to repay its debts within any three consecutive quarters on demand made in writing for its repayment by a creditor or creditors of such society;

(b) "net worth" means the sum total of the paid up capital and free reserves after deducting the provisions or expenses as may be prescribed;

(c) "free reserves" means all reserves created out of the profits and share premium account but does not include reserves created out of revaluation of assets, write back of depreciation provisions and amalgamation;

(d) "debt" means any liability (inclusive of interest), which is due and payable by a society, in cash or otherwise, whether secured or unsecured, or whether payable under a decree or order of any Civil Court or otherwise and legally recoverable from such society;

(e) the expression "cannot undertake its operations in a viable manner" shall mean the level of operations of the society in any financial year during four financial years immediately preceding the financial year in which the issue is being considered, is such that the income generated therefrom is not adequate to meet even the operating and establishment costs, current liabilities and to service the loans and working capital borrowings availed by it;

(f) "person" includes an individual, partnership, trust, company, corporation, co-operative society, an association of persons or a body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, and every artificial juridical persons, not falling within any of the preceding categories;

(g) "Implementation Secretariat" means the implementation Secretariat established in the Department of Public Enterprises by the State Government in G.O.Ms.No.150, General Administration (PE-II) Department, dated 30th April, 1998;

(h) "best offer" means the highest offer received that complies with the requirements specified in the call for tenders or offers.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or the rules made thereunder or the bye-laws of the societies concerned or in any other law for the time being in force, where, in the opinion of the Registrar, a society,- (a) in which majority of the shares are held, or (b) to which loan exceeding fifty percent of the total loan borrowed is advanced, or (c) in which liabilities by way of guarantee for borrowing including working capital borrowing exceeding fifty percent of the total borrowings are undertaken, by the Government or one or more Government Companies or one or more corporations owned or controlled by the Government, or a society in which majority of shares are held by one or more of the aforesaid persons or any combination thereof,- (i) has become a sick co-operative society and there is no possibility to rehabilitate it; or (ii) being in processing, manufacturing or other industrial sector, has its unit or units lying incomplete or idle or under utilised for want of funds or for any other reason, or ceased to undertake its operations, or cannot undertake its operations in a viable manner; or (iii) being in marketing, trading, commercial or any other sector has ceased to undertake its operations, or cannot undertake its operations in a viable manner; and it is necessary in public interest to transfer its assets or assets and liabilities, in whole or in part, to any other person, he may make an order to that effect. (2) (i) The Registrar shall, before forming the opinion and making the order under sub-section (1), give an opportunity to the society by calling upon it by notice in writing in such manner as may be prescribed to state its objections or make its representations, if any, and consider the objections or representations, if any, so stated or made. (ii) It shall be the responsibility of the society to place the notice received from the Registrar before the general body convened for the purpose and communicate its objections or representations, if any, to the Registrar within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of the notice from him: Provided that the Registrar may receive the objections or representations, if any, from the society after the said period of four weeks but not later than five weeks from the date aforesaid, if he is satisfied that the society was prevented by sufficient cause from stating its objections or making its representations, if any, in time. (3) Where the Registrar has made an order under sub-section (1), he may appoint the Implementation Secretariat or any other committee, consultant or adviser having the requisite expertise or experience to assist and advise him for the purpose of,- (i) assessing the value of the assets or the assets and liabilities, in whole or in part, of the society; (ii) formulating terms and conditions for transfer of assets or assets and liabilities, in whole or in part, of the society; (iii) calling for tenders or offers for the assets or assets and liabilities, in whole or in part, to obtain the best possible offer; (iv) evaluating the offers received and identifying the best offer; (v) finalizing sale agreement and other documents relating to the transfer; (vi) receiving the proceeds from the sale; (vii) applying the proceeds towards discharge of the liabilities of the society as per the priorities set out in sub-section (9); (viii) providing such other service or assistance as the Registrar may think it necessary; and (ix) advising and assisting generally on matters relating to employees, creditors and other matters connected with the sale. (4) Where the best offer for the assets or assets and liabilities, in whole or in part, of the society concerned is identified in the manner prescribed, the Registrar shall, before approving the best offer and the terms and conditions of transfer thereof, consult the Government and the financing bank, if any, to which such society is indebted. (5) Where the best offer is approved, the Registrar may make an order directing that the Committee of the society concerned shall stand dissolved from the date specified in the order and that the assets or assets and liabilities, in whole or in part, of the society shall be transferred to the person submitting the best offer on fulfilment of such terms and conditions including payment of the purchase price as may be specified in the order in the manner prescribed. (6) (i) The Registrar shall, before making the order under sub-section (5), give an opportunity to the society by calling upon it by notice in writing in such manner as may be prescribed to state its objections or make its representations, if any, and consider the objections or representations, if any, so stated or made. (ii) It shall be the responsibility of the society to place the notice received from the Registrar before the general body convened for the purpose and communicate its objections or representations, if any, to the Registrar within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of the notice from him: Provided that the Registrar may receive the objections or representations, if any, from the society after the said period of four weeks but not later than five weeks from the date aforesaid, if he is satisfied that the society was prevented by sufficient cause from stating its objections or making its representations, if any, in time. (7) On the Registrar making an order under sub-section (5) and on such order being notified in the Telangana Gazette, the Committee of the society shall stand dissolved and all members of the Committee including the President and the Vice President, if any, shall vacate their respective office from the date specified in the order. The Registrar shall simultaneously appoint a person or persons, wherever necessary, to manage the affairs of such society till it is dissolved. (8) The person or persons appointed by the Registrar under sub-section (7) shall transfer the assets or assets and liabilities, in whole or in part, of the society concerned to the person submitting the best offer in the manner specified in the order. (9) The proceeds realised from the transfer of assets or assets and liabilities, in whole or in part, of the society concerned, shall be applied in discharge of the liabilities of such society in the following order of priority, namely:- (i) all expenses incurred for preservation and protection of the assets; (ii) (a) dues payable to workmen and employees; (b) debts payable to secured creditors according to their rights and priorities interse; (c) dues payable to provident fund or other authorities which are protected under a statue by a charge on the assets; (iii) debts payable to ordinary creditors; (iv) share capital contributed by the members of the society: Provided that the cases covered under Category (i) shall have precedence over all other Categories, Category (ii) shall have precedence over Category (iii) and (iv) and Category (iii) shall have precedence over Category (iv): Provided further that the debts specified in each of the Categories shall rank equally and be paid in full, but in the event of the amount being insufficient to meet such debts, they shall abate in equal proportions and be paid accordingly: Provided also that the question of discharging any liability with regard to a debt specified in a lower Category shall arise only if a surplus fund is left after meeting all the liabilities specified in the immediately higher Category. (10) When the assets and liabilities of the society concerned are transferred, or when the assets of the society are transferred and the realisations therefrom applied towards discharge of its liabilities, on the making of an order by the Registrar, the registration of such society shall stand cancelled and the society shall be dissolved from the date specified in the order. (11) Notwithstanding anything contained in other provisions of this Act or any other law, or any contract or any other instrument for the time being in force, the provisions of the order or orders of the Registrar under this section shall be binding on the society concerned and its members.

(1) Where a society has passed a resolution under section 11 or section 12, it shall give notice thereof in the manner prescribed together with a copy of the resolution to all its members and creditors and notwithstanding any bye-law or contract to the contrary, any member or creditor shall, during a period of one month from the date of service of the notice upon him, have the option of withdrawing his shares, deposits or loans, as the case may be.

(2) Any member or creditor who does not exercise his option within the period specified in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to have assented to the resolution.

(3) A resolution passed by a society under section 11 or section 12 shall not take effect, until,-

(a) all the members and creditors have assented, or deemed to have assented, to the resolution under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of this section; and

(b) all claims of the members and creditors who have exercised the option referred to under sub-section (1) within the period specified therein have been met in full or otherwise satisfied; and

(c) (i) in the case of change of liability or conversion, amendment of the bye-laws of the societies concerned is registered;

(ii) in the case of transfer of assets and liabilities in whole or in part, the consent of the financing bank or federal society as the case may be, if applicable is obtained; or

(iii) in the case of division or amalgamation, the certificate of registration of the societies or the society, as the case may be, is issued.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in any other law for the time being in force, where a resolution passed by a society under section 12 involves a decision for the transfer of any assets and liabilities, the resolution shall, when it takes effect, be a sufficient conveyance to vest the assets and liabilities in the transferee without any further assurance.

(2) The registration of a society shall stand cancelled and the society shall be deemed to have been dissolved and shall cease to exist as a corporate body-

(a) when the whole of the assets and liabilities of such society are transferred to another society; or

(b) when such society divides itself into two or more societies.

(3) Where two or more societies are amalgamated into a new society, the registration of the societies so amalgamated shall stand cancelled and they shall be deemed to have been dissolved and shall cease to exist as corporate bodies.

[xxx]

(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or the rules made thereunder or the bye-laws of the society concerned, if the Registrar is of the opinion that in respect of a society or societies in receipt of State aid as specified under section 43 of the Act, it is necessary to amalgamate or merge any society with any other such society or to divide and restrict or transfer the area of operation of a society or to liquidate a society for any of the following purposes, namely:-

(a) for ensuring economic viability of any or all the societies concerned, or

(b) for avoiding overlapping or conflict of jurisdictions of societies in any area; or

(c) for securing proper management of any society; or

(d) in the interest of the co-operative movement in general and of co-operative credit structure in particular in the State taken as a whole; or

(e) for any other reason in the public interest, he may identify the viable and non-viable societies which may be retained or divided with consequential restriction of the area of operation or the transfer of such area or amalgamated or liquidated, as the case may be, and may by a notification to be published in the prescribed manner, specify the area of operation of each society or societies to be retained divided or amalgamated with any other society indicated in the said notification and invite objections or suggestions from the societies or any members, depositors, creditors, employees or other persons concerned with the affairs of each such society to be received within twenty one days from the date of publication of the notification.

Explanation:- For the purpose of this section,-

(i) the term 'Registrar' means the person on whom the powers of the Registrar under this section are conferred under clause (n) of section 2.

(ii) any society may convene the general body meeting within seven days from the date of publication of the notification.

(2) The Registrar may, after having considered the matter in the light of any suggestions or objections which may be received by him within the period specified in sub-section (i) and other making if necessary, such modification in the proposal as he may deem fit, make an order and publish it in the prescribed manner;

(3) On making such an order,-

(i) the societies affected by the amalgamation, shall be deemed to have been amalgamated with the Society or societies with which each one is amalgamated;

(ii) the registration of every amalgamated or divided society shall stand cancelled whereupon such society shall cease to exist as a corporate body;

(iii) the area added to the area of operation of the society shall be deemed to have been transferred to such society to which it is added;

(iv) the assets of such amalgamated or divided society shall stand transferred to and its liabilities shall devolve on, the society with which it is amalgamated and all immovable properties located in the area transferred shall be deemed to be transferred the society to which the area is transferred;

(v) every member of such amalgamated or divided society and residing in the area so transferred shall be deemed to have been transferred together with his loans, share capital, deposits to the society with which it is amalgamated or to which the area is transferred and he shall have the same rights, privileges and liabilities which he has had in the amalgamated or divided society;

(vi) the Committee of the amalgamated or divided society shall stand dissolved and thereupon, the Registrar shall nominate a committee or appoint a person or persons, wherever necessary to manage the affairs of such society for a period not exceeding three months and arrange for the conduct of elections before the expiry of the term;

(vii) it shall be competent for the Registrar to allot, by order, employees of such societies which are amalgamated or divided to any society or societies; and

(viii) notwithstanding anything in this Act or in any other law, or in any contract, award or any other instrument for the time being in force, the provisions of the order of the Registrar under sub-sections (2) and (3) shall be binding on all societies and their members, depositors, creditors, employees, and other persons having any rights, assets or liabilities in relation to all or any of the concerned societies.

(4) The Registrar may, at any time before the expiration of the period specified in clause (vi) of sub-section (3), arrange for the calling of a general meeting for the election of a new committee in such manner as may be prescribed for every such viable society.

(5) [xxx] (Omitted)

(6) [xxx] (Omitted)

(7) Notwithstanding anything in the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 or the Registration Act, 1908, an order issued under this section shall be sufficient conveyance to transfer the assets and liabilities of the society or societies covered by any order passed under sub-section (2) of this section.

(8) no suit or legal proceedings shall be instituted or maintained or continued in any civil court in respect of any order made under this section.

(1) No amendment of any bye-law of a society shall be valid unless the resolution for such amendment is passed at its General meeting by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting and such amendment has been registered under this Act. Where such an amendment is not expressed to come into operation on a particular day, then it shall come into force on the day on which it is registered. (2) Every proposal for such amendment shall be forwarded to the Registrar who shall, if he is satisfied that the proposed amendment fulfils the conditions prescribed, register the amendment within a period of (thirty days) from the date of receipt of such proposal. (3) The Registrar shall forward to the society a copy of the registered amendment together with a certificate signed and sealed by him, and such certificate shall be conclusive evidence that the amendment has been duly registered. (4) Where the Registrar is not so satisfied, he shall communicate by registered post the order of refusal together with the reasons therefor, to the society within the period specified in sub-section (2). If no order of refusal is communicated within a week after the expiry of the period specified in sub-section (2) it shall be deemed that the Registrar has not registered the amendment as on the last date of the period specified in sub-section (2). (5) If in the opinion of the Registrar, an amendment of the bye-laws of a society is necessary or desirable in the interest of such society or of the co-operative movement, he may, in the manner prescribed, call upon the society, to make any amendment within such time as he may specify. If the society fails to make such an amendment within the time so specified the Registrar may, after giving the society an opportunity of making its representation, register such amendment and forward to the society by registered post a copy of the amendment together with a certificate signed by him; such a certificate shall be conclusive evidence that the amendment has been duly registered; and such an amendment shall have the same effect as an amendment of any bye-law made by the society.

(1) Any two or more societies may, by a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting of each such society enter into a contract of partnership for carrying out any specific business permissible under the bye-laws on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by such societies: Provided that where such societies are members of a federal society or are in receipt of assistance from a financing bank or State aid as specified in section 43 of the Act, they shall obtain the prior consent of the federal society or the financing bank or the Registrar, as the case may be. (2) No such resolution shall be passed by a society unless ten clear days‘ written notice of the resolution and the date of the meeting has been given to each member of the society. (3) The provisions of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, shall not apply to such contracts of partnership.

The Registrar shall, in accordance with the rules, classify societies with reference to their objects, area of operation, membership or any other matter specified in the rules.

(1) Subject to the provisions of section 21 — (a) An individual who attained majority and is of sound mind and who belongs to a class of persons, if any, for whom the society is formed as per its bye-laws and who paid the minimum share capital as prescribed by the Registrar from time to time and who possesses such qualifications as may be specified in the bye-laws or as may be prescribed for the concerned class of societies in the interest of Co-operative movement: Provided that the applicant is not already a member of a Cooperative Society registered under this Act, or any other Coop. Act providing the same or similar services. (b) a society registered, or deemed to be registered, under this Act or the Telangana Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies Act, 1995; and which belongs to the class of societies, if any, for which the society is formed as per its bye-laws: Provided that the Co-operative Society registered under the Telangana Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies Act, 1995 which were admitted into Central, Apex Level Co-operative Societies, shall not be entitled for voting rights. (c) the Government; shall be eligible for admission as a member: Provided that no individual shall be eligible for admission as a member of any financing bank or federal society: Provided further that an individual who was admitted as a member of the financing bank or federal society and continuing as such on the date of the commencement of the Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 1985, shall, on such commencement cease to be a member of such bank or society: Provided also that a society shall admit an individual or a society referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above as a member, subject to the condition that the society is in a position to extend its services to such individual or society: Provided also that the individual, who seeks admission into an Agricultural Credit Society, shall hold agricultural land either as an owner or a tenant in the area of operation of the said society in such manner as may be prescribed. Explanation-I:- for the purpose of this sub-section:- (i) ‗family‘ means husband, wife, unmarried sons, unmarried daughters and other dependents in the house-hold; (ii) ‗weaver‘ means any individual not being a master weaver, who attends to operations of weaving of cloth or fabric or product on the loom whether such operation is carried on in private dwelling house or in any other place and is dependent on weaving as profession and income thereof. Explanation-II:- For removal of any doubts, it is hereby declared that Mutually Aided Co-operative Society registered or deemed to be registered under the Telangana Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies Act, 1995 shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of a member of a society except voting rights under the provisions of this Act on admission as such member. (2) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1),— (i) any firm, company or any other body corporate constituted under any law for the time being in force, or a society registered under the relevant Societies Registration Act or a local authority or a public trust registered under any law for the time being in force relating to the registration of such trusts, which is, immediately before the commencement of this Act a member of a society deemed to be registered under this Act shall have subject to the other provisions of this Act, the right to continue to be such member on and after such commencement; (ii) the requirements specified in clauses (c) and (cc) in sub-section (2) of section 6 for individuals signing the application for registration of a society referred to therein, shall also apply to individuals seeking admission as members of such society after its registration; (iii) any statutory body constituted for the purpose of development of a particular industry, may become a member of a co-operative marketing or processing society of growers or workers engaged in such industry; (iv) persons who are minors, may, subject to such restrictions or limitations as may be applicable to a minor under the provisions of any law for the time being in force, be admitted as members of such class of societies as may be prescribed. (2-A) Any person duly qualified for admission as a member under the provisions of this Act, the rules and the bye-laws may apply through the Registrar for membership of such societies and in such form as may be prescribed and such person shall be deemed to have been admitted as a member of the Society from the date of receipt of the application in the office of the society. (2-B) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the Registrar may, either suo motu at any time or on an application by the society or any aggrieved person made within fifteen days from the date mentioned in sub-section (2-A), and after giving an opportunity to the person concerned and recording the reasons therefor declare such person as not eligible for membership of the society within thirty days from the date of receipt of the application by the Registrar. (3) The Managing Committee of a society shall not without sufficient cause, refuse admission to membership to any person duly qualified therefor under the provisions of this Act and its bye-laws. Where admission is so refused, the decision, with the reasons therefor, shall be communicated by registered post to such person within fifteen days of the date of the decision, or within sixty days from the date of his application for membership, whichever is earlier. (4) The name of every person admitted or deemed to have been admitted as a member of the society shall be entered in such records of the society as may be prescribed and the member so admitted shall be issued a photo identity card. (5) The name of every associate member admitted or deemed to have been admitted, shall be entered in a separate register and a photo identity card shall be issued.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 19, a society may admit any individual seeking any services of the society or informal group such as SELF HELP GROUP, RYTHU MITRA GROUP, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION, working for the welfare of farmer community in the area of operation as associate member but such member shall not be entitled to vote. (2) The associate member shall not be entitled to any share in any form whatsoever in the profits or assets of the society. Such member shall not have privileges, rights and liabilities of a member except those specified in the bye-laws of the society: Provided that the members without holding any agricultural land in the Agricultural Credit Societies be treated as associate members.

On and from the date of the commencement of the Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Societies (Second Amendment) Act, 2001 omitting section 20 of the principal Act upto the date of the commencement of the Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2005 inserting new section 20 in the Principal Act, any individual or society or institution admitted as a nominal or associate member of a society shall be deemed to have been admitted as such of the society and any loan advanced to such nominal or associate member shall be deemed to have been validly made.

(1) A person shall be disqualified for being admitted as, and for being a member, if he – (a) is an applicant to be adjudicated an insolvent or is an of society insolvent; or (aa) is not eligible for membership under section 19; (b) has been sentenced for any offence involving moral turpitude, such sentence not having been reversed and a period of three years has not elapsed from the date of the expiration of the sentence; or (c) is a paid employee of the society or of its financing bank or of any society for which it is the financing bank; or (d) has been expelled from membership under this Act and a period of one year has not elapsed from the date of such expulsion; or (e) is carrying on business of such kind as the Registrar may, by general or special order, declare to be a business which is in conflict with the objects or interests of the society; or (f) as such member fails to transact such minimum business or utilise minimum services or facilities in a year as may be specified in the bye-laws; or in respect of Housing societies if the member sold out the plot alloted to him/her; or (g) fails to attend two consecutive annual general body meetings without leave of absence; or (h) fails to give information relevant to him to the society as specified in the bye-laws; (i) is/was a director or member of the Managing Committee of the society which fails to handover all the records of the society to the successor Managing Committee. (2) The provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) shall not apply to a person seeking admission to, or to a member of, a society exclusively formed for the reclamation of such class of persons as may, from time to time, be notified by the Government in the Telangana Gazette. The provisions of clause (c) of sub-section (1) shall not apply to a person seeking admission to, or to a member of- (i) a society which has as its principal object the provision of employment to its members; or (ii) such other society as may be prescribed. (3) where any person, who is not eligible for being admitted as member has been admitted as member or where the member who is disqualified to continue as such under sub-section (1) is continued as member, he shall be removed by the General body on its own motion or on a representation made to it by any member of a society or its federal society or its financing bank: Provided that no member shall be removed under this sub-section unless he had an opportunity of making a representation against the proposed action. A copy of the resolution removing the member shall be communicated to such person and on such communication, he shall be deemed to have ceased to be a member of the society.

(1) No person shall be eligible for being chosen as, and for being, a member of the committee, if he – (a) is such near relative of such paid employee of the society or its financing bank as may be prescribed; (b) is in default in the payment of any amount due in cash or kind to the society or any other society or stood as guarantor Society/Co-executants to any member who committed default, for said period as may be prescribed or is a delegate of a society which is defunct or which is in default as aforesaid; (c) is a person against whom any amount due under a decree, decision, award or order is pending recovery under this Act; (d) acquires any interest in any subsisting contract made with or work being done for, the society, except as otherwise prescribed; (e) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court, a deaf-mute or a leper; (f) is appearing as legal practitioner on behalf of or against the society; (g) is carrying on business of such kind as the Registrar may, by general or special order, declare to be a business which is in conflict with the objects, or interests of the society; (h) has been sentenced to imprisonment for an offence under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955. (i) is a Village Administrative Officer or an employee of the State or Central Government or an employee of any institution receiving aid from the funds of the State or Central Government or an employee of any undertaking concerned and controlled by the State or Central Government: Provided that this clause shall not apply for being a member of the committee of any society formed by and for the benefit of the concerned class of the employees specified in this clause; (j) is convicted by a criminal court for an offence involving moral delinquency: Provided that the disqualification under this clause shall subsist for a period of five years from the date of conviction or where he is sentenced to imprisonment while undergoing sentence and for a period of five years from the date of expiration thereof: Provided that any delegate of a society sitting on the committee of any other society, shall cease to be such delegate, if- (i) his delegation is withdrawn; (ii) the committee which elected him as the delegate, has been superseded; (iii) the society of which he is the delegate is defunct or commits default in the payment of any amount due in cash or kind to such other society for the period prescribed; or (iv) the affairs of the society of which he is the delegate are woundup. (1-A). A person having more than two children shall be disqualified for election or for continuing as a member of the Committee: Provided that the birth within the year from the date of commencement of the Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Societies (amendment) Act, 1995 hereinafter in this section referred to as the date of such commencement) of an additional child shall not be taken into consideration for the purposes of this section: Provided further that a person having more than two children (excluding the child if any born within one year from the date of such commencement) shall not be disqualified under this section for so long as the number of children he had on the date of such commencement does not increase: Provided also that the Government may direct that the disqualification in this section shall not apply in respect of person for reasons to be recorded in writing.

(1) A member of the committee shall cease to hold office forthwith as such, for the residue of his term of office and he shall also be ineligible for being chosen as or for being a member of the committee through election or co-option for the subsequent two terms if,-

(a) [xxx]

(b) on an enquiry under this Act he is found guilty of misuses of the property of the society for his personal gain;

(c) he is found responsible for making any appointment to any post in the society in contravention of the relevant service rules and regulations.

(2) A member of the Committee found responsible for wilfully or knowingly sanctioning benami loans or against whom an order of surcharge is issued under section 60 shall cease to hold office and shall also be ineligible to be elected as member of the Committee for a period of six years from the date of cessation.

(3) Where a society incurs loss in any co-operative year as a result of misuse or misapplication of share capital, the President and the Secretary of such society shall cease to hold office as such.

(4) Where the Committee fails to prepare and submit or cause to be prepared and submitted within the period specified in section 50 of the Act, Annual accounts of the Society to the Chief Auditor and also to submit defect rectification report as per section 54, the members of the Committee shall after 15 days on the expiration of the period aforesaid cease to hold such office. The order to such effect shall be issued by the Registrar.

(5) Where the committee of a society fails to place the inquiry report under section 51 or Inspection report under section 52 or section 53 or Audit Report or Special Audit Report under section 50 along with the findings of the Registrar and action taken on serious irregularities, if any which need immediate corrective action, before the next General Body held after the date of the receipt of the report by the society, the members of the committee shall, cease to hold such office.

(6) Where the committee fails to initiate action for prosecution of any member or servant of a society who may have incurred criminal liability under the provisions of this Act or any other law for the time being in force, the members of the Committee shall cease to hold such office.

(7) Where the committee fails to dispose profits of the society as provided u/s.45 of this Act the members of the committee shall cease to hold such office.

(1) Where a member of the committee absents himself without permission of Managing Committee from three consecutive meetings of the committee, he shall cease to be a member of the committee. Such permission may be sought twice in the entire tenure. He may, however, be reinstated by the committee in the manner prescribed, but such reinstatement shall not be made more than once during the term of the committee.

(2) Where a member of the committee ceases to be such member by reason of his incurring the disqualification under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 21-A or where a delegate of a society ceases to be such delegate by reason of his incurring the disqualification under item (iii) of the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 21-A, he shall not be entitled for being chosen again as a member of the committee on the removal of the said disqualification, unless a period of one year has elapsed from the date of such cessation.

[xxx]

(1) Every member on his admission as such member shall be entitled to the services available to the members of the society and such services shall, subject to availability, be rendered to him on his application to the committee.

(2) If any member is refused any service, or where the decision of the committee on his application for services is not communicated to him within a period of thirty days from the date of such application, he may make an application to the Registrar for redress, within thirty days from the date of receipt of the decision of refusal, or within sixty days from the date of application to the society, as the case may be.

(3) If the Registrar is satisfied that the refusal of any service is unreasonable, improper or discriminatory, he may after giving the committee an opportunity of making its representation by order, direct the committee to render the service.

(1) Any member who has acted adversely to the interests of the society may be expelled upon a resolution of the general body passed its meeting by the votes of not less than where by majority of the total membership of the society is present and two-thirds of the members of the society present and voting.

(2) No member shall be expelled under sub-section (1) unless,–

(a) member caused loss of financial to the society.

(b) member is involved in impersonation, forgery or any other Criminal Activity against the society.

(c) Provided that the member shall be given an opportunity of making his/her representation to the Managing Committee.

(3) A copy of resolution expelling the member shall be communicated to the member within 30 days under copy to the Registrar.

No member shall, save as otherwise provided in section 31, exercise the rights of a member unless he has made such payment to the society in respect of membership or has acquired such interest in the society, as may be specified in the rules made in this behalf or as may be specified in the bye-laws.

(1) Subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf, every member shall have one vote in the affairs of the society and shall exercise his vote in person and not by proxy:

Provided that no member of a society belonging to such class of societies and who failed to transact such minimum business or utilise such minimum services or facilities as may be prescribed taking into consideration the nature of business transacted or the services or facilities made available by the society, shall have the right to stand as a candidate or to vote in any election to the society. (1-A) A member of a society shall be eligible to exercise the right to vote only if he:- (a) contributes a minimum share capital and conducts minimum business transaction as may be prescribed; (b) [xxx] (c) is a member of the society for a continuous period of one year or more as may be prescribed; (d) is not in default in the payment of any amount due in cash or kind to the society for such period as may be prescribed; (e) is not a member of the committee superseded under the relevant provisions of this Act; (f) he/she was a member of the committee which failed to make arrangements for conduct of elections to the society as per the provisions of this Act. (2) Every person nominated to the committee by the Government, or where the financing bank is member, every person representing such financing bank, shall have one vote: Provided that no nominee of the Government or the representative of the financing bank, as the case may be, shall be entitled to participate in, or vote at, any election. (3) In the case of equality of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote. (4) [xxx]

Where the liability of the members of a society is limited, no member, other than a society or the Government, shall hold more than such portion of the share capital of the society, subject to a maximum of one-fifth thereof, as may be prescribed. [xxx]: Provided that the Government may, by notification in the Telangana Gazette, fix, in respect of any society or class of societies, a higher maximum than one-fifth of the share capital.

(1) No transfer by a member of his share or interest in a society shall be valid unless- (a) the member has held such share or interest for not less than one co-operative year; and (b) the transfer is made to a member of the society. (2) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1), no member of a financing bank or a federal society shall transfer his share or interest in such bank or society to an individual member, his heir or legal representative.

(1) On the death of a member, the society shall transfer his share or interest to the person or persons nominated in accordance with the rules, or, if no person has been so nominated, to such person as may appear to the committee to be the heir or legal representative of the deceased member only on such nominee, heir or legal representative, as the case may be, becoming a member of the society, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall prevent a minor or a person of unsound mind from acquiring by inheritance or otherwise the share or interest of a deceased member in a society. (2) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1), any such nominee, heir, or legal representative, as the case may be, may require the society to pay to him the value of the share or interest of the deceased member as ascertained in the manner prescribed. (3) A society shall pay all other moneys due to the deceased member from the society to such nominee, heir or legal representative, as the case may be, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed. (4) All transfers and payments made by a society in accordance with the provisions of this section shall be valid and effectual against any demand made upon the society by any other person.

(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), the liability of a past member, or of the estate of a deceased member, for the debts of the society as they existed,— (a) in the case of a past member, on the date on which he ceased to be a member; (b) in the case of a deceased member, on the date of his death; shall continue for a period of two years from such date. (2) Where a society is ordered to be wound up under section 64, the liability of a past member who ceased to be a member, or of the estate of a deceased member who died, within two years immediately preceding the date of the order of winding up, shall continue until completion of the liquidation proceedings but such liability shall be limited only to the debts of the society as they existed on the date of cessation of membership or death, as the case may be.

(1) (a) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the rules and the bye-laws, the ultimate authority of a society shall vest in the general body: Provided that nothing in this clause shall affect the exercise by the Committee or any officer of a society of any power conferred on such committee or officer by the Act, the rules or the bye-laws. (b) Notwithstanding anything in clause (a), where the area of operation of a society is not less than such area as may be prescribed, or where the society consists of not less than such number of members as may be prescribed, the society may and if so directed by the Registrar shall provide in its bye-laws for the constitution of a smaller general body designated as the representative general body consisting of such number of members of the society as may be specified in, and elected in accordance with, the rules, to exercise all or any of the powers of the general body except the power to conduct elections of members of the committee as may be specified in the bye-laws; and thereupon any reference in this Act to the general body or meeting thereof shall be construed as a reference to the representative general body or its meetings: Provided that the representative general body shall not alter any provision in the bye-laws relating to its constitution or powers. (c) The exercise of any power by the representative general body shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be specified in the rules or the bye-laws. (2) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the following matters shall be dealt with by the General Body in the manner prescribed:- (i) election and removal of members of the committee and members; (ii) annual report to the Registrar; (iii) consideration or the audit report and the annual service; (iv) disposal of the net profits; (v) amendment to bye-laws; (vi) expulsion of a member; (vii) approval of the annual budget of income and expenditure; (viii) affiliation of the society to the financing bank or other societies; (ix) election of delegates to the financing bank or other societies: Provided that the general body may delegate, by a resolution, to the committee its powers in respect of items (viii) and (ix) or to withdraw by a resolution such powers at any time: Provided that where a delegate is not elected under this item the President shall be the delegate to the Financing Bank or other society until a delegate is elected: Provided further that where a President elected by direct election, he shall represent the Society as a delegate to the Financing Bank or other societies. (x) review of the loans and advances sanctioned to, or the business done with the society by, the members of the committee or their such near relatives as may be prescribed, and report to the Registrar about any default in the recovery of the amounts due to the society: (xi) appointment of two internal auditors from among its members other than the member of the Committee; (xii) consideration of the report of the internal auditors appointed by it; (xiii) [xxx] (xiv) consideration of report of inquiry under section 51 or Inspection under section 52 or under section 53 or Special report of Audit under section 50; (xv) decision on bad debts considered irrecoverable; (xvi) management of deficits in stocks of cash; (xvii) appointment of members of supervisory council, entrustment of duties to the supervisory council and consideration of its reports; (xviii) decision on transfer of assets and liabilities, on division or amalgamation; (xix) review of attendance of Committee members; (xx) review of membership; (xxi) review of the report on the disqualification of the members and the committee members; (xxii) review of all overdue loans and defaulters; (xxiii) approval of the staffing pattern, pay and other allowances of the employees of the society and contingencies, subject to the availability of administrative and contingent fund and approval of the Registrar:

The General Body of every society may constitute a supervisory council to ensure that the affairs of the society are conducted in accordance with the principles of co-operation, provisions of the Act, rules, bye laws and resolutions of the General Body. The supervisory council shall consist of three members from the General Body other than the members of the Managing Committee and such other members as may be prescribed. The supervisory council shall aid and assist the General Body in general and exercise such powers and functions as may be prescribed.

(1)(a) The General Body of a society shall constitute a committee in accordance with the bye-laws and entrust the management of the affairs of the society to such committee: Provided that in case of a newly registered society, the applicants who signed the application for registration under section 6 of this Act shall conduct the affairs of the society for a period of 90 days from the date of registration of the society. The applicants shall initiate the process of constitution of committee within 30 days of registration of the society: Provided further that, if the applicants who got the society registered fail to constitute a committee to manage the affairs of the society within 90 days from the date of registration of the society, the Registrar shall take steps to constitute a committee to manage the affairs of the society or may choose to cancel the registration of the society as deemed fit: Provided further that if no committee is constituted under this section to manage the affairs of the society within 180 days from the date of the registration of the society, the certificate of Registration issued under section 8 is deemed to have been cancelled: Provided further that where the bye-laws so provide, the Government or the Registrar may nominate all or any of the members of the first promoters Committee for such period as may be specified or till the first elected Committee assumes office, whichever is earlier. (b) The Board / Committee shall consist of such number of Directors as may be prescribed: Provided that the maximum number of Directors of a Co-operative society shall not exceed twenty-one: Provided further that one seat for the Scheduled Caste or the Scheduled Tribe and two seats for women shall be reserved on Board of every Co-operative society consisting of individuals as members and having members from such class or category of persons subject to that in the case of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society, a Farmers Service Co-operative Society, a Co-operative farming Society, a Co-operative Central Bank and a District Co-operative marketing society, not more than one-half of the total number of seats to be filled by elected members of the Committee thereof shall be reserved to be filled by members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and Women in such proportion as may be prescribed: Provided further that the Board may fill up a casual vacancy / shortfall of the Board by nomination out of the same class of members in respect of which the casual vacancy / shortfall has arisen, if the term of office of the Board is less than half of its original term: Provided further that no member who has lost in the current election shall be eligible for filling up the casual vacancy that has arisen during the current term of the Board. (c) [xxx] (d) [xxx] (e) In addition to the number specified as per section 31(1)(b), the elected members of Committee may co-opt, not exceeding two persons as members of the Committee, out of which one shall have experience in the field of banking or management or finance and the other shall have specialization in any other field relating to the objects and activities undertaken by the society: Provided that such co-opted members shall not have the right to vote in any election of the co-operative society in their capacity as such member or to be eligible to be elected as office bearers of the Committee: Provided further that Functional Directors of a Co-operative society as may be prescribed shall also be the members of the Committee and such members shall be excluded for the purpose of counting the total number of the Directors specified in section 31(1)(b). (1-A) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or in the bye-laws of the societies referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1), the Government may, for the purpose of effective implementation of the reservation specified in clause (b), by rules made in this behalf, provide for the constitution of, and election to, the committiees of such societies and all other matter relating thereto; including the division of constituencies, allocation of seats and the choice of persons belonging to weaker sections of the society as members of the committee of any central society from amongst the members of the committees of the societies affiliated to such central society, by the members of the central society in cases where no such person is a member of the general body of such central society. (2)(a) The term of office of the Committee and its Office Bearers including President are elected in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (5) shall be five years from the date of election of the members of the committee. The term of the office bearers shall be coterminous with the term of Board. (b) [xxx] (c) [xxx] (3)(a) In the case of the committee of Cooperative Central Bank a District Marketing Society, a District Cooperative Wholesale Store, a Centrally sponsored consumer cooperative Stores, an apex society and a society formed for a sugar factory or for a spinning mill, such officer of the cooperative department, not below the rank of a Deputy Registrar, as may be authorised by the State Cooperative Election Authority in this behalf shall be the election officer and the election of the members of the committee shall be in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Cooperative Election Authority. (b) In any other case, the election officer and the manner of election of the members of the committee shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Cooperative Election Authority: Provided that where a requisition signed by not less than one-fifth of the total number of members is received by the Registrar to appoint an election officer to conduct an election, the Registrar shall appoint the election officer to conduct the election. (4)(a) For the purpose of electing members to its committee, a society may provide in its bye-laws, for the division of the area of operation of a society into territorial constituencies, or of the membership of the society into electoral groups on any other basis, for the number or proportion of members who may be elected to represent each such territorial constituency or electoral group on the committee, and for the manner of election of such representatives. (b) In the absence of such bye-laws, the society may elect members to its committee from among all the members of the society. (5) In the case of such classes of Co-operative Societies as may be prescribed the president shall subject to the provisions of section 21-A, be elected by the members of the committee from among themselves in the manner prescribed.

The committee of a society shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, rules, bye-laws and resolutions of the General body, exercise the following powers and functions, namely:- (1) admit the members to General Body; (2) allot shares to the members and transfer of shares to General Body; (3) recommend removal of the members disqualified under section 21; (4) recommend removal of any of the committee members disqualified under sections 21-A, 21-AA, 21-B and reinstatement of a Committee member who ceased to be such member of the committee under section 21-B and place the reports before the General Body; (5) raise funds in the form of loans or deposits and invest them; (6) provide services or facilities including sanction of loans and advances to the members on a specific recommendation of the chief executive officer on the basis of the date of admission of such members; (7) sanction expenditure which is necessary for the business of the society subject to the provisions of the annual budget; (8) conduct elections in the manner specified in the bye-laws to the office of the members of the Committee before the expiry of the term; (9) conduct general meetings as prescribed in the Act; (10) cause the audit of the accounts of the society within the time prescribed and place the audit report before the General body; (11) decide matters connected with the day to day management of the society; (12) fix the staffing pattern, qualifications, pay scales and other allowances to the employees of the society, subject to the availability of the administrative and contingent fund and approval of the General body and Registrar; (13) place the reports of inquiry under section 51 or inspection under section 52 or under section 53 or special audit report under section 50 before the General Body within the time prescribed; (14) rectify the defects noted in the reports of audit under section 50 or inquiry under section 51 or inspection under section 52 or under section 53; (15) suspension of any officer or servant of the society under section 59; (16) initiate action for prosecution of any person who may have incurred criminal liability under the provisions of this Act or any other law for the time being in force; (17) prepare the list of defaulters and publish the same as prescribed and place before the General Body; (18) review all outstanding loans and ensure coverage of legal action on all overdue loans and advances;

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, Rules and Bye-laws of the society, the Government shall constitute a State Cooperative Election Authority; The State Cooperative Election Authority shall be headed by an officer not below the rank of Additional Registrar of Cooperative Societies. The said Authority is to be assisted by not more than two Additional Co-operative Electoral Officers who are not below the rank of Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies. The service conditions of the State Cooperative Election Authority and the Additional Cooperative Electoral Officers shall be as prescribed. (b) The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of all elections shall vest with the State Cooperative Election Authority which shall conduct all elections in the manner prescribed, for all types of Cooperative Societies registered under this Act: Provided that the State Co-operative Election Authority referred to under sub-section (a) above may issue guidelines otherwise laying down the procedure for conduct of elections from time to time. (c) The Registrar of Cooperative Societies shall deploy the supporting staff to the State Cooperative Election Authority as may be prescribed to assist in conduct of elections. (d) Provided that the election of a Board shall be conducted before expiry of the term of the Board so as to ensure that the newly elected members of the Board assume office immediately on the expiry of the office of the outgoing Board.

(1) The committee may, at any time, call not less than two general meetings of a society in a co-operative year: Provided that one meeting shall be held in each half year. (1-e). At least one General Meeting in a year shall be held in the presence of representative/nominee of the Registrar who attends the meeting as observer. The Registrar shall nominate a representative for this purpose at the request of President of the society. The request to the Registrar for this purpose shall be made by the President of the society atleast 15 days before the General Meeting. The observer should submit a report on the proceedings of the General Meeting specifically mentioning deviations or violations of Act, if any, within a week of completion of the General Meeting to the Registrar. (1A) If the general meeting is not convened in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1), the members of the committee shall cease to hold office on the day next after the last day on which the general meeting should have been held, and it shall be competent for the Registrar, notwithstanding anything in the bye-laws, to call such general meeting in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) The committee shall call a general meeting of the society within thirty days of the date of receipt of a requisition in writing from- (i) such number of members or proportion of the total number of members, as may be specified in the bye-laws; (ii) the financing bank to which the society is indebted; (iii) a federal society to which the society is affiliated; or (iv) the Registrar. (3) It shall be the duty of the President of the society to call the meetings of the committee so that atleast one meeting of the committee is held in every three months. If the President fails to discharge that duty with the result that no meeting is held, within such period of three months or within one month following such period, he shall with effect from the date of expiration of one month aforesaid cease to be the President. The Registrar shall issue orders to that effect: Provided that it shall also be the duty of the President to call such meetings within fifteen days of the date of receipt of requisition in writing in that behalf from any of the requisitionists specified in sub-section (2). (4) The requisition referred to in sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) shall specify the purpose for which the meeting is to be called, and shall be signed by the requisition and delivered in person or by registered post at the registered address of the society. (5) (a) If for any reason, a meeting is not called in accordance with the requisition delivered under sub-section (4), notwithstanding anything in the bye-laws of the society, the Registrar shall have the power to call such meeting in the manner prescribed and to determine the time for such meeting and the subjects to be considered thereat. The Registrar or a person authorized by him in writing in this behalf shall preside at such meeting, but he shall not be entitled to vote. (b) (i) If, at any general meeting of the society called by the Registrar himself under clause (a), otherwise than in pursuance of the requisition, there is no quorum, the meeting shall stand adjourned to such other date and time as the Registrar may determine. (ii) If at the adjourned meeting also there is no quorum for holding the meeting, the members present shall constitute the quorum. (c) If at any general meeting of the society called by the Registrar himself under clause (a) in pursuance of the requisition, there is no quorum, the requisition shall lapse. (6) Notwithstanding anything in this Chapter, if at any time the State Cooperative Election Authority is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for it to call a general meeting for such election of members of the committee to be held in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the State Cooperative Election Authority or any person authorised by them in this behalf shall have power to call such meeting and to determine the place, time and the period of notice for such meeting. If at such meeting, there is no quorum, the meeting shall stand adjourned to such other date and time as the State Cooperative Election Authority or person authorised may determine. If at the adjourned meeting also there is no quorum for holding the meeting, the members present shall constitute the quorum. When the meeting is called by the State Cooperative Election Authority, it shall be presided over by a person appointed by them in that behalf and if the meeting is called by the person authorised by the State Cooperative Election Authority, the person so authorised shall preside at such meeting; but the person presiding shall not be entitled to vote at the meeting so called or adjourned. (7) (a) (i) If there is no Committee or in the opinion of the Government or, the Registrar, it is not possible to call a general meeting for the purpose of conducting election of members of the committee, the Government, in respect of such classes of societies as may be prescribed and the Registrar in all other cases may appoint a person or persons to manage the affairs of the society for a period not exceeding six months and the Government may, on their own and the Registrar with the previous approval of the Government, extend, from time to time, such period beyond one year, so however that the aggregate period including the extended period if any, shall not exceed three years. (ii) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, in the special circumstances and for the reasons to be recorded, if in the opinion of the Government, it is not possible to hold the elections to the societies or class of societies, the Government may by order extend the term of the person or the persons appointed to manage the affairs of the society or class of societies beyond three years. (b) The person or persons so appointed shall, subject to the control of the Government or as the case may be, of the Registrar and subject to such instructions or directions as they may issue, from time to time, have power to exercise all or any of the functions of the committee or any officer of the society and to take all such actions as may be required in the interest of the society. (c) The Registrar may fix the remuneration payable to the person or persons so appointed. The amount of such remuneration and other costs, if any, incurred in the management of the society shall be payable out of the funds of the society. (d) The Registrar may at any time, and shall at the expiration of the period of appointment of person or persons so appointed arrange for the calling of a general meeting for the election of a new committee in such manner as may be prescribed. The person or persons so appointed shall cease to manage the affairs of the society on the new committee entering upon its office.

xxx

If the President ceases to hold office under sub-section (3) of section 32 or if he has been continuously absent from the head-quarters for more than three months, or is incapacitated for more than three months, his powers and functions on such cessation or during such absence or incapacity shall devolve on the Vice-President and in case of absence of both, shall devolve to the senior most member of the committee.

(1) Where the Government,-(a) have subscribed to the share capital of a society, or(b) have assisted indirectly in the formation or augmentation of the share capital of a society as provided in section 43, or(c) have guaranteed the repayment of principal and payment of interest on debentures issued by a society, or(d) have guaranteed the repayment of principal and payment of interest on loans and advances to a society, the Government or any authority specified by the Government in this behalf shall have the right to nominate to the committee not more than three persons as members or one-third of the total number of members of the committee, whichever is less, notwithstanding anything contained in the bye-laws of a society. (2) A member nominated to the committee under sub-section (1) shall, hold office during the pleasure of the Government or the specified authority, as the case may be. (3) Any nominee of the Government may refer to the Government, through the Registrar, any resolution the execution of which, in the opinion of the nominee, is likely to be prejudicial to the interests of the Government and the decision of the Government thereon shall be final and binding on the committee: Provided that the Government may suspend the execution of any such resolution pending the exercise of their powers under this sub-section.

(1) (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no committee shall be superseded or kept under suspension for a period exceeding six months. (b) The Committee may be superseded or kept under suspension in case-(i) of its persistent default; or(ii) of negligence in the performance of its duties; or(iii) The Board has committed any act prejudicial to the interests of the co-operative society or its members; or(iv) There is stalemate in the constitution or functions of the Board; or(v) [xxx] (c) by order, supersede or suspend the Committee from a specified date and appoint the Official Administrator (The Registrar may after giving the Committee an opportunity of making its representations) to manage the affairs of the society, as per the conditions of service as may be prescribed, for a period of not exceeding six months: Provided that the Committee of any such co-operative society shall not be superseded or kept under suspension where there is no Government shareholding or loan or financial assistance/subsidy of any form or any guarantee by the Government: Provided further that in case of a Co-operative society carrying on the business of banking, the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 shall also apply: Provided also that in case of a Co-operative society, other than a multi-state co-operative society, carrying on the business of banking, the period of supersession or suspension shall be for one year instead of six months. (d) In case of supersession/suspension of a Board, the Registrar shall appoint the Official Administrator(s) to manage the affairs of such co-operative society and the said Administrator(s) shall arrange for conduct of elections by the State Co-operative Election Authority within the period specified in sub-section (1) (a) of this section and hand over the management to the elected board. (2) [xxx] (3) The Administrator(s) shall, subject to control of Registrar and to such directions as he may from time to time, give, have power to exercise all or any functions of the committee or of any officer of the society provided that no crucial policy decisions are taken by the Administrator(s). (4) The Registrar may fix the remuneration payable to the Administrator(s). The amount of remuneration so fixed and such other expenditure incidental to the management of the society during the period of the supersession as may be approved by the Registrar shall be payable from the funds of the society. (5) [xxx] (6) Where a society is indebted to any financing bank, the Registrar shall, before taking any action under sub-section (1) in respect of that society, consult the financing bank. (12) If the motion is not carried by such a majority aforesaid or if the meeting could not be held for want of a quorum, no notice of any subsequent motion expressing want of confidence in the same president or as the case may be, the Vice-President shall be made untill, after the expiration of one year from the date of the meeting. (13) No notice of a motion under this section shall be made within three years of the assumption of office by a President or the Vice-President. (14) The provisions of this section shall not apply in respect of president of any co-operative society elected by the members of the general body from among themselves.

(1) A motion expressing want of confidence in the President or the Vice-President of a Committee or other office bearers of the Committee may be made in accordance with the procedure laid down in the following sub-sections. (2) A written notice of intention to make the motion, signed by not less than one-half of the total elected membership of the committee including vacancies if any as constituted under section 31 of this Act together with a copy of the proposed motion shall be delivered in person, by any two of the members signing the notice, to the Registrar having jurisdiction over the society. (3) The Registrar shall then convene a meeting for the consideration of the motion at the office of the society on a date appointed by him which shall not be later than thirty days from the date on which the notice under sub-section (2) delivered to him. He shall give to the members notice of not less than fifteen clear days from the date of notice of such meeting in such manner as may be prescribed: Provided that where the holding of such meeting is stayed by an order of a Court, the meeting shall be adjourned, and the Registrar shall hold the adjourned meeting on a date not later than thirty days from the date on which he received the intimation about the vacation of stay, after giving to the members notice of not less than fifteen clear days. (4) The quorum for such a meeting shall be majority of the total elected membership of the committee including vacancies if any as constituted U/s. 31 of this Act and the Registrar shall preside at such meeting. If within half an hour after the time appointed for the meeting the Registrar is not present to preside at the meeting, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the next day. (5) If the Registrar is unable to preside at the meeting he may after recording his reasons in writing adjourn the meeting to the next day to be presided over either by himself or by an officer authorised by him in his behalf. The person authorised under this sub-section shall be deemed to be the Registrar for purposes of sub-sections (7), (10) and (11). (6) Save as provided in sub-sections (3), (4) and (5) a meeting convened for the purpose of considering a motion under this section shall not for any reason be adjourned. (7) As soon as the meeting convened under this section commences the Registrar shall read to the Committee the motion for the consideration of which the meeting has been convened and declare it to be open for debate. (8) No debate on the motion under this section shall be adjourned. (9) Such debate shall automatically terminate on the expiration two hours from the time appointed for the commencement of the meeting if it is not concluded earlier. On the conclusion of the debate or on the expiration of the said period of two hours, whichever is earlier, the motion shall be put to vote. (10) The Registrar shall not speak on the merits of the motion and he shall not be entitled to vote thereon. (11) If the motion is carried with the support of not less than two thirds of the total elected members of the Committee including vacancies if any as constituted U/s.31 of this Act, the Registrar shall by order remove the President or as the case may be, the Vice-President and the resulting vacancy shall be filled in the manner prescribed.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in any law for the time being in force, but subject to any claim of the Government in respect of land revenue, any debt or other amount due to a society by any member including a past or deceased member shall be a first charge upon the crops or other agricultural produce, cattle, fodder for cattle, agricultural or industrial implements or machinery, raw materials for manufacture and any finished products manufactured from such raw materials owned by such member. (2) Such charge shall be available even as against any amount recoverable by the Government as if it were an arrear of land revenue or any claim of the Government arising from a loan granted under the Land Improvement Loans Act, 1883, subsequent to the incurring of the debt or the liability for the other amount due to the society referred to in sub-section (1). (3) No person shall transfer any property which is subject to such charge except with the previous permission in writing of the society which holds the charge and any transfer, without such permission shall, notwithstanding anything in any law for the time being in force, be void. (4) The charge under this section shall not be available against the following articles of such members:- (a) the necessary wearing apparel, cooking vessels, beds and bedding and such personal ornaments of a woman as in accordance with by her. (b) ploughs, implements of husbandry, one pair of ploughing cattle, such manure and seed grain stocked by him, as may be necessary for the due cultivation of his lands in the ensuing year.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or in any law for the time being in force, but subject to any claim of the Government in respect of land revenue and to any claim of an (Agricultural Development Bank). (2) Such declaration may be varied or cancelled at any time by the member with the consent of the society. (3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1) and to the claim of any person in whose favour a mortgage or a charge has been created before the date of registration of the declaration made under sub-section (1), no land in respect of which such declaration has been made or any part of or any interest in such land shall be sold or otherwise transferred until the entire amount of the loan or advance taken by the member from the society together with interest thereon is paid to the society; and any transaction made in contravention of this sub-section shall be void: Provided that, if a part of the amount borrowed by a member is paid, the society may, on application from the member and with the approval of the financing bank, release from the charge created under the declaration made under sub-section (1), such part of the land or interest in such land specified in the said declaration, as it may deem proper, with due regard to the security of the balance of the amount remaining outstanding from the member: Provided further that, nothing in this sub-section shall apply in respect of (a mortgage created in favour of) an (Agricultural Development Bank), subsequent to the date of registration of the declaration made under sub-section (1). (4) The declaration made under sub-section (1) or any variation or cancellation thereof under sub-section (2) shall be sent by registered post by the society to the Sub-Registrar having jurisdiction over the area in which the land is situated. He shall, if it is in order, register such declaration or variation or cancellation and return it to the society and where it is not in order, he shall return it to the society without registering it. Where it is registered, it shall take effect from the time of its registration and where it is not registered; it shall be of no effect. Explanation.—For purposes of this section, the expression “society” means- (i) any society, the majority of members of which are agriculturists and the primary object of which is to obtain credit for its members for any agricultural purpose; or (ii) any society or any class of societies specified in this behalf by the Government by a general or special order.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in any other law for the time being in force, a member of a society may execute an agreement in favour of that society providing that his employer shall be competent, on a requisition in writing from the society, to deduct every month from the salary or wages payable to him such amount as may be specified in the requisition towards the amount due by him to the society in respect of any debt or other amount due by the member to the society, from time to time. (2) (a) Where such agreement has been executed by a member, the employer of such member shall, on receipt of a requisition from the society, make the deduction from the salary or wages payable to the member in accordance with the requisition, and pay, within such time as may be specified in the rules in respect of any society or class of societies, the amount so deducted, to the society. (b) Where the amount to be deducted in any month in accordance with the requisition made by a society, or where a requisition has been made by two or more societies in respect of the same person, the total amount to be deducted in accordance with all the requisitions, exceeds one-third of his entire gross salary or wages for the month, the employer shall deduct from the salary or wages of such person only a sum representing one-third of his entire gross salary or wages for the month. The amount deducted shall, where deductions have been made against requisitions received from two or more societies be paid by the employer to all the societies in proportion to the amounts to be deducted according to their requisitions. (3) The employer shall maintain such registers as may be prescribed. (4) The provisions of this section shall apply to all such agreements of the nature referred to in sub-section (1) as are in force at the commencement of this Act. (5) If such employer fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees. (6) Where a requisition in writing from any society registered or deemed to be registered in any reciprocating State in respect of a member of that society who for the time being is employed in this State, is received by his employer, the requisition shall be acted upon as if it had been made by a society in this State. Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section ‘reciprocating State‘ means any State which the Government may, by notification in the Telangana Gazette, declare to be a reciprocating State. (7) [xxx]

A society shall have a charge upon the share or interest in the capital, deposits, dividend, bonus or profits payable to a member or a past member or the estate of a deceased member in respect of any debt or other amount due by him to the society and may set off any sum credited or payable to such member against payment of any such debt or other amount due: Provided that no financing bank to which a society is affiliated shall have a charge upon or set off against any debt due from such society— (i) any sum invested in the financing bank as reserve fund by the society if the bank is not the sole creditor of the society; or (ii) any sum invested in it by the society as provident fund of its employers established under section 49.

The share or interest, of a member in the capital of a society or of an employee in the provident fund established under section 49 or the contribution made by a member or past member or from the estate of a deceased member or by any officer or former officer under section 66, or the reserve fund of a society or the bad debts reserve of a Society or the provident fund of its employees invested under section 46, shall not be liable to attachment or sale, under any decree or order of a court, in respect of any debt or liability incurred by such member, or officer; and an official assignee or a receiver under any law relating to insolvency shall not be entitled to, or have any claim on such share, interest, contribution or fund.

(1) Where, under this Act or any rule made thereunder, any amount due to a society from any person is recoverable as an arrear of land revenue and the immovable property of such person is brought to sale under the provisions of the (1) Where any property is sold under the provisions of the Telangana Revenue Recovery Act, 1864 and the society is the purchaser at such sale, the provisions of section 36 of the said Act shall apply thereto subject to the modification that for the third and fourth clauses thereof, the following clauses were substituted, namely:- “Third:- The sum due to the purchaser shall be set off, in whole or in part, against the purchase money and the remainder, if any, of the purchase money shall be paid to the Collector or other officer empowered by the Collector in that behalf within thirty days of the date of sale. Fourth:- Where the purchaser refuses or fails to make the payment of the remainder, if any, of the purchase money the amount of the loss or consequent on such refusal or failure shall be a charge on the property purchased, and shall to recoverable from such purchaser in the same manner as arrears of land revenue. The amount so recovered shall be paid to the owner of the immovable property.” (2) Where a sale is conducted under section 71, section 103 or section 104 by the Registrar or any other person authorised by him, the provisions of sub-section (1) shall apply as if it were a sale for the recovery of an arrear of land revenue.

The Government, if in their opinion it is necessary in the public interst so to do, may, by notification in the Telangana Gazette, and subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be specified in such notification, reduce or exempt in respect of any class of societies- (a) the taxes on professions, trades, callings and employments; (b) the stamp duty with which, under any law for the time being in force, instruments executed by or on behalf of a society or by an officer or member and relating to the business of such society or any class of such instruments or decisions or orders of the Registrar or arbitrator or liquidator under this Act. are respectively chargeable; and (c) any fee payable under the law relating to registration for the time being in force or court-fees.

Nothing in clauses (b) and (c) of sub-section (1) of section 17 of the Indian Registration Act, 1908 shall apply to- (a) any instrument relating to shares in a society notwithstanding that the assets of the society consist in whole or in part of immoveable property; (b) any debentures issued by any such society and not creating, declaring, assigning, limiting or extinguishing any right, title or interest to or in immovable properly except in so far as it entitles the holder to the security afforded by a registered instrument whereby the society has mortgaged, conveyed or otherwise transferred the whole or part of its immovable property or any interest therein to trustees upon trust for the benefit of the holders of such debentures; or (c) any endorsement upon or transfer of any other debenture issued by any such society.

The Government may, subject to the rules,- (a) give loans or advance moneys to a society; (b) subscribe to the share capital of a society; (c) provide moneys to a society- (i) for the purchase of shares of other societies; (ii) to enable it to provide moneys to another society to purchase shares in other societies; (d) guarantee the repayment of principal and payment of interest on debentures issued by a society; (e) guarantee the repayment of share capital of a society and dividends thereon at such rates as may be specified by the Government; (f) guarantee the repayment of principal and payment of interest on loans and advance of moneys to a society; (g) guarantee the repayment of deposits received by a society and payment of interest on such deposits subject to such terms and, conditions as may be laid down by the Government; and (h) give financial aid in any other form including subsidies to any society. (i) give Land for residential construction or other purposes either on subsidised / concessional rates or market cost or cost free basis. (j) exempt stamp fee, stamp duties, licence fee, import duties, Earnest Money Deposits (EMDs). (k) Provide/offer any subsidies, concessions or guarantees or securities.

Any Cooperative Society registered under this Act if wishes to gets itself converted into a society under MACS Act or wishes to be incorporated as Company under Companies Act 1956, it shall have to first return the share capital, assets of the Government it received either directly or through any other agency and also return the Government land and machinery received if any, and also any outstanding loans due to, or guarantees or any of such assistance given by the Government. Before applying for such conversion or incorporation itself, a clearance certificate to this effect from the State Government based on the recommendations of the Registrar on whom powers are conferred as under section 4 of this Act shall be obtained. No cooperative Society which is a beneficiary of Government in terms of funds or land or any other assistance in any form as on date has not fully repaid/returned to the Government, can get registered under MACs Act or Companies Act: Provided that any cooperative societies under APCS Act 1964/ Telangana Cooperative Societies Act without returning the assets share capital, land, machinery, assistance or repaying the outstanding loans or guarantees etc. to the Government/and incorporated under Companies Act, 1956 as on date of this provision coming into force, shall return/repay the same to the Government if it wishes to continue under Companies Act/MACS Act as the case may be Government reserves the right on any of its assets extended to and held by such cooperative society as on date of conversion: Provided further that if the societies so converted into MACS Society or/ and incorporated into the Companies Act, 1956, do not return the assets and repays the dues to the Government within a period of six (06) months from the date of notification of this Amendment, the Government shall have the power to recover such assets and amounts from the formed company or society as arrears under Revenue Recovery Act, 1890.

No part of the funds other than the net profits of a society shall be paid by way of bonus or dividend or otherwise distributed among its members: Provided that a member may be paid remuneration from the funds on such scale as may be prescribed for any service rendered by him to the society: Provided further that a President of the Society be paid honorarium from the funds of the Society such rate as may be prescribed.

(1) There shall be constituted a Co-operative Education Fund for the purpose of promotion of Co-operative movement in the State and education of the members and training of the officers of the Cooperative societies on cooperative principles and management practices. All contributions made by the societies form out of their profit in a year, grants-in-aid from the Government of India or the State Government and donations by any persons, shall be credited to the Co-operative Education Fund. (2) Every society shall ensure the education of its members and training of its officers. (3) The cooperative education fund shall be administered and utilised by the Registrar on the advice of a committee constituted for the purpose in the manner prescribed: Provided, that not less than 20% of the cooperative education fund contributed by the societies in a year shall be utilised towards the training of officers of the societies concerned: Provided further, that not less than 50% of the cooperative education fund contributed by the societies shall be utilised on member education programmes in a year.

(1) A Society shall, subject to such limits as may be prescribed, credit one percent of gross income in a year, as the case may be, to the cooperative education fund. (2) A Society shall credit an amount not being more than 30 percent of gross profit or 2 percent of working capital, whichever is less, in a year towards pay and other allowances of its employees and contingencies in the manner prescribed. (3) A society shall, out of its net profits in any co-operative year,– (a) transfer an amount not being less than twenty five percent of the profits as may be prescribed, to the reserve fund: Provided that when the total amount so transferred becomes equal to the amount of paid-up share capital, the amount to be transferred may, with the previous permission of the Registrar, be reduced to a sum not less than ten per cent of such profits; (b) [xxx] (c) credit such portion of the profits, as may be prescribed, to the bad debts reserve. (d) pay towards dividend to members on their paid up share capital, an amount not being less than ten percent of the net profit; (e) pay an amount not being less than fifteen percent of the net profit towards rebate to members on amount or volume of business done by them with the extent in the manner specified in the bye-laws. (4) The balance of the net profits may be utilised for all or any of the following purposes, namely:— (a) [xxx] (b) [xxx] (c) constitution of or contribution to, such special funds as may be specified in the bye-laws; (d) payment of bonus to employees of the society or remuneration to a member for services rendered by him to

A society may by a resolution of majority of committee with due care and diligence, invest or deposit its funds which are not immediately required for the business of the society- (a) in the Postal Savings Banks; (b) in any of the securities specified in section 20 of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882; (c) [xxx] (d) with any Nationalised Bank or Scheduled Bank or the concerned District Co-operative Central Bank; (e) [xxx] Provided that every primary agricultural credit society and every Co-operative Central Bank shall invest or deposit in each co-operative year towards the bad debts reserve of the said society or bank, a sum equal to one-fourth per centum of the amount granted by it as short term loans or medium term loans to its members during the co-operative year from out of the amounts borrowed by it from other co-operative financial institutions for granting such loans; so however that no such investment or deposit shall be necessary when the total amount so invested or deposited towards bad debts reserve becomes equal to the total amount of bad debts of the society as estimated by the auditor appointed under section 50. Explanation.- For purposes of this section, sub-section (3) of section 47 and section 71, the expression “primary agricultural credit society” means a society referred to in clause (i) of Explanation to section 36.

(1) A society shall receive deposits (of any form or nomenclature) and raise loans from members and associate members only to such extent and under such conditions as may be specified in the bye-laws: Provided that the proposals of society for receiving short term and long term fixed deposits from members and associate members shall have the prior approval of the Registrar. (2) A society shall not grant a loan to any person other than a member, but it may grant loans to another society with the general or special sanction of the Registrar or to its employees on such terms as may be specified in the bye-laws: Provided that a society may make a loan to a depositor on the security of his deposit. (3) (a) Subject to such directions as the Reserve Bank of India may give to Co-operative Banks in this behalf, primary agricultural credit societies shall, during a co-operative year, disburse to small farmers such proportions, having regard to the class of societies and the strength of membership of small farmers therein, as may be prescribed out of the total amounts borrowed by them from the co-operative financial institutions, for granting short term loans or medium term loans to their members during that year, so however that the amount of any such loans that may be granted to each of their members, whether or not he is a small farmer, shall not in the aggregate exceed such amount or amounts as the Government may from time to time by notification in the Telangana Gazette specify in relation to the various classes of members and having regard to the purposes for which loans are required. Explanation.- For purposes of this sub-section, ‘small farmer’ means a member who holds not more than such extent of land as may be notified by the Government, from time to time, and Government may notify different standards for different districts or parts of districts. (b) Every primary agricultural credit society shall, in such areas as may be prescribed disburse the amount granted by it to any of its members towards a short term loan or a medium term loan by way of cheque in favour of the loanee or by electronic transfer to his account at the request of the loanee or by money order; and no such cheque shall be endorsed by the loanee in favour of any officer of the society.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained under any provisions of this Act, financial transactions of society with non members are subject to the conditions prescribed by the Registrar: Provided that the conditions are prescribed by the Registrar keeping in view the financial health of the society and interests of the non members. (2) Every Primary Weavers Co-operative Society shall produce cloth only through the members of the society by supplying raw-materials to the members and receiving back cloth or fabric or product and shall not procure or purchase cloth or fabric or product from any source other than the members of the society either for sale on its own account or for sale of Federal Society or others. But it may purchase cloth or fabric or product of other weavers co-operative societies with general or special sanction of Registrar for sale on its own account to consumers or others.

(1) A society may, subject to the rules, establish a contributory provident fund for the benefit of its employees to which shall be credited all the contributions made by them and the society in accordance with its bye-laws. (2) The provident fund so established shall not,— (a) be used in the business of the society; (b) form part of the assets of the society, or (c) be liable to attachment or be subject to any other process of any court or other authority. (3) Notwithstanding anything in this section, a provident fund established by a society to which the Employees Provident Fund Act, 1952, is applicable, shall be governed by that Act.

(1) Every Co-operative Society registered under this Act shall maintain its accounts for each financial year in such format as prescribed by the Registrar from time to time and shall cause audit of such accounts within six months from the close of the financial year, conforming to Audit Manual and/or Circular instructions issued by the Registrar/Chief Auditor from time to time. There shall be a separate wing for audit in the Co-operative Department headed by the Chief Auditor who will work under the general superintendence and control of the Registrar. Such audit shall primarily cover an examination of debts, overdue, if any, verification of the cash balance and securities and valuation of the assets and liabilities of the society, complete examination and certification of all receipts and expenditure during the financial year including administrative audit focusing on prudent management of the affairs of the society in accordance with the Act, Rules and Bye-laws: Provided that in respect of a society not in receipt of State aid as specified in section 43, the committee of such society shall cause the audit of accounts of the society, every year as per the audit manual prescribed by the Registrar, either through the Chief Auditor or a Chartered Accountant. Where such society opts to get the accounts of the society audited by the Chief Auditor, the latter shall audit or cause to be audited the accounts of such society in the manner prescribed. (2) Every person who is, or has at any time being, an officer or employee of the society and every member including a past member shall furnish such information in regard to, any transaction, working and affairs of the society as the Statutory Auditor may require. (3) The committee shall prepare and submit cause to be prepared and submitted within such period not exceeding six months as may be prescribed the different classes of societies after the end of the Co-operative year, to the Chief Auditor or the person authorised by him as the case may be, such statement and reports as may be prescribed for the purpose of the audit of accounts of the Society for the Co-operative year. (4) The minimum qualifications of the Auditor/Auditing firm entrusted with the responsibility of auditing of co-operative societies under this Act shall be- (i) An officer of the State Government serving in Co-operative department not below the rank of Junior Inspector and possessing a certificate in Audit proficiency issued by CCI/TSCU/ICM. (5) The Registrar shall empanel the Departmental Auditors / Qualified Auditor and Auditing Firms fulfilling the above provisions of this section, every year, while framing necessary guidelines: Provided that in case of the eligible co-operative banks covered under Chapter XIII-A of this Act, the RBI/NABARD shall empanel the Auditors/Auditing firms, while framing necessary guidelines: Provided further that in case of the APCOB/DCCBs covered under Chapter XIII-B of this Act, the NABARD shall empanel the Auditors/Auditing firms, while framing necessary guidelines. (6) It shall be the responsibility of the General body to choose and appoint the Auditor/Auditing firm every financial year to conduct the audit of its accounts. The General body is vested with the power to choose and appoint the Auditor or the Auditing firms approved and empanelled by the Registrar/NABARD/RBI for the purpose: Provided that the General body shall appoint the Auditor or the Auditing firm for auditing the accounts of the Co-operative society for the financial year within six months of its commencement of the financial year for which the accounts are related to: Provided further that the power to appoint the auditor in respect of societies receiving state aid under Section 43 of this Act shall vest with the Chief Auditor. (7) Every Coop. Society shall furnish the financial statements along with necessary enclosures and relevant records and books of accounts to the Auditor or Auditing firm appointed under this Act within one month of the close of financial year, the audit of which is entrusted to the Auditor or Auditing firm. (8) The Chief Auditor shall issue or cause to be issued an Audit Certificate in case of Cooperative Societies for which Departmental Auditor was appointed by the General Body and conducted the audit of the society. The Chartered Accountant Auditor or Auditing Firm shall issue the Audit Certificate for the Cooperative Societies wherever they are appointed as Auditors under this Act by the General Body and conducted the audit of the society: Provided further that, the Audit Certificate issued in case of Audit by the Departmental Auditor or Audit by others, the Audit Certificate shall be in the format as prescribed by the Chief Auditor from time to time: Provided further that in case of any discrepancies or deviations noticed in the Audit procedures or Audit certificate issued by the Chartered Accountant/firm the Government may on the recommendation of the Registrar, order for a test Audit of the society to be conducted by the Chief Auditor and take necessary action against the Chartered Accountant/firm and the Chief Executive of the Society (Primary/Apex) as the case may be. (9) The audited financial statements along with Audit Certificate of an Apex Coop. Society registered under this Act shall be laid before the State Legislature. (10) Failure of the Committee to comply with the above provisions of this section amounts to negligence in the performance of duties of the Managing Committee of the Society as provided under section 34 (1) of this Act.

The Registrar, may of his own motion and shall, on the application of a society to which the society concerned is affiliated, or of not less than one-third of the members of the committee, or of not less than one-fifth of the total number of members of the society, hold an inquiry or direct some person authorised by him by an order in this behalf to hold an inquiry into the constitution, working and financial condition of a society. Such inquiry shall be completed within a period of four months and the report of inquiry along with the findings of the Registrar thereon shall be communicated to the managing committee of the society. It shall be the responsibility of the managing committee to place the inquiry report before the General Body or Special General Body convened for the purpose for its information, within a period of one month from the communication of the inquiry report by the Registrar. The Registrar shall be the competent to initiate action under the provisions of this Act, if the committee fails to take action as aforesaid: Provided that notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and the Rules made thereunder, the byelaws of a society and the action of the society in placing the inquiry report along with the findings of the Registrar, the Registrar shall not be precluded from taking follow up action as may be required on the basis of inquiry report: Provided further that such action shall not be nullified even if the General Body of the Society passes a resolution negativing the findings of the inquiry: Provided also that the Registrar may for reasons to be recorded in writing extend the period of four months for completion of inquiry for a further period not exceeding two months. Explanation: For the purposes of this section, „Managing Committee‟ includes a Committee constituted under section 31 (1) (a) and a person-in-charge appointed under section 32 (7) (a) and also Administrator(s) appointed under section 34 of the Act.

(1) The Registrar may on his own motion or on the application of a creditor of a society, inspect or direct any person authorised by him by a general or special order in this behalf to inspect the books of the society. Such inspection shall be completed within a period of three months from the date of receipt of order of inspection by the Inspecting Officer so appointed. (2) The Registrar or any person authorised by him under sub-section (1) shall prepare a report of inspection which shall be communicated to the Managing Committee of the Society together with the findings of the Registrar thereon. It shall be the responsibility of the Managing Committee to place the inspection report together with the findings of the Registrar before the General Body or Special General Body convened for the purpose for its information, within a period of one month of the communication of the inspection report by Registrar. The Registrar shall be the competent to initiate action under the provisions of this Act, if the Committee fails to take action as aforesaid: Provided that notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and Rules made thereunder, the bye-laws of a society and the action of the society in placing the inspection report along with the findings of the Registrar, the Registrar shall not be precluded from taking, follow up action as may be required on the basis of inspection report: Provided further that such action shall not be nullified even if the General Body of the Society passes a resolution negativing the findings of the Registrar: Provided also that the Registrar may for reasons to be recorded in writing extend the period of three months for completion of inspection for a further period not exceeding two months. Explanation:- For the purposes of this section, „Managing Committee‟ includes a Committee constituted under section 31 (1) (a) and a person-in-charge appointed under section 32 (7) (a) and also Administrator(s) appointed under section 34 of the Act.

A financing bank or a federal society shall have the right to inspect the books of any society which is indebted to it. The inspection may be made either by an officer of the financing bank or federal society authorised by the committee of such bank or society or by a member of its paid staff certified by the competent to undertake such inspection. The officer or member so authorised to conduct the inspection shall at all reasonable times have free access to the books, accounts, documents securities, cash and other properties belonging to or in the custody of the society and may also call for such information, statements and returns as may be necessary to ascertain the financial condition of the society and the safety of the sums lent to it by such bank or society. The Officer or Member so authorised to conduct the inspection shall prepare a report of inspection which shall be communicated to the Managing Committee of the society together with the findings of the Registrar thereon. It shall be the responsibility of the Managing Committee to place the Inspection Report together with the findings of the Registrar before the General Body or Special General Body convened for the purpose for its information, within a period of one month of the communication of the Inspection Report by the Registrar. The Registrar shall be competent to initiate action under the provisions of this Act, if the Committee fails to take action as aforesaid: Provided that such action shall not be nullified even if the General Body of the Society passes a resolution negativing the findings of the Registrar: Provided further that notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and Rules made thereunder the bye-laws of a Society and the action of the Society in placing the Inspection Report along with findings of the Registrar, the Registrar shall not be precluded from taking, follow up action as may be required on the basis of Inspection Report.

The Registrar shall draw the attention of the society to the defects noticed in every audit conducted under section 50 or inquiry held under section 51 or inspection made under section 52 or section 53 and if the society is affiliated to another society, also the attention of that other society and may make an order directing the society or its officers to take such action and within three months: Provided that if the society fails to rectify the defects noticed in audit within three months penalty may be levied against the society as prescribed by the Registrar.

(1) The Registrar or the Chief Auditor or any person authorised by either of them to exercise any powers under this Act shall at all reasonable times, have free access to the books, accounts, documents, records, securities, cash and other properties, belonging to, or in the custody of the society and may summon any person in possession of, or responsible for the custody of, any such books, accounts, documents, records, securities, cash or other properties, to produce all or any of them at any place at the head-quarters of the society or any branch thereof. (2) The Registrar or any person authorised by him to exercise any powers under this Act— (a) may summon any person who, he has reason to believe, has knowledge of any of the affairs of the society to appear before him at any place at the head-quarters of the society or any branch thereof or at any other place specified by the Registrar, and may examine that person on oath; (b) may seize the books, accounts or documents belonging to, or in the custody of, the society if he considers that such seizure is necessary to ensure the safety of such books, accounts or documents, and shall give the person from whose custody the books, accounts or documents have been seized, a receipt for the same: Provided that the books, accounts or documents so seized shall be retained by him only for so long as may be necessary: Provided further that the books, accounts or documents so seized shall not he retained for more than sixty days at a time except with the permission of the next higher authority.

(1) The Chief Executive Officer of every society by whatsoever designation he is called, and the President of the society jointly and severally or the President of such society if there is no such chief executive officer for that society, shall be bound to keep, maintain or cause to maintain, sign and authenticate such accounts and books relating to that society in such manner as may be prescribed and shall be responsible for the correct and up-to-date maintenance and authentication of such accounts and books and for producing or causing production of the same when called for in connection with audit, inquiry, inspection or election. (2) If such accounts and books are not maintained the Registrar may direct the person who is responsible to bring the accounts and books upto date to make them upto date, and he shall be bound to comply with such direction within the period specified therein: Provided that if the statement of accounts are not prepared due to non tracing of concerned records and books of accounts, the Registrar may direct the person who is holding the charge of the society to prepare statement of accounts of the society based on available records while recording the reasons thereof in writing. (3) If the person fails to comply with the direction under sub-section (2) the Registrar may suspend such person for such period as he may consider necessary and authorise any person to take action for bringing such accounts and books upto date at the expenses of the society and such expenses shall be recoverable from the society as if it were an arrear of land revenue. (4) Where the Registrar takes action under sub-section (3) the Registrar may call upon the person concerned whom he considers to be responsible for not complying with the direction made under sub-section (2) and after giving such person an opportunity of being heard, may require him to pay the society the expenses paid or payable by it to the Government as a result of his failure to take action. (5) The Chief Executive Officer of the society or the President where there is no such Chief Executive Officer for that society shall be the custodian of all books of account of the society.

(1) Where an inquiry is held under section 51 or an inspection is made under section 52, the Registrar may, after giving the parties an opportunity of making their representations, apportion the costs, or such part of the costs as he may think fit, between the society, the members or creditors demanding an inquiry or inspection, the officers or former officers of the society. Costs may also be awarded by the Registrar to the financing bank or federal society in the case of inspection under section 53 by such bank or society. (2) Any amount awarded by way of costs under sub-section (1) may be recovered as if it were an arrear of land revenue.

Every society shall pay to the Government such amount as may be determined in the prescribed manner in respect of any special or additional staff employed at the request of the society by the Government for the purpose of the society.

Every person or Society shall pay to the Government such fees, as may be prescribed, for the services rendered by the Government to the person or society in respect of audit, execution or arbitration proceedings, or any other prescribed manner.

(1) Where in the course of an audit under section 50 or an inquiry under section 51 or an inspection under section 52 or section 53 or in preliminary Inquiry report submitted by an Officer not below the rank of Sub-Divisional Co-operative Officer, it is brought to the notice of the Registrar that a paid officer or servant of a society has committed or has been otherwise responsible for misappropriation, breach of trust or other offence, in relation to the society, the Registrar may, if in his opinion there is prima facie evidence against such paid officer or servant and the suspension of such paid officer or servant is necessary in the interests of the matter, to place or cause to be placed such paid officer or servant under suspension from such date and for such period as may be specified by him, but not retrospectively. (2) On receipt of such direction, the committee shall notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the bye-laws, place or cause to be placed the paid officer or servant under suspension forthwith. (3) The Registrar may direct the committee to extend from time to time, the period of suspension and the paid officer or servant suspended shall not be reinstated except with the previous sanction of the Registrar.

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force where in the course of an audit under section 50 or an inquiry under section 51 or an inspection under section 52 or section 53, or the winding up of a society, it appears that any person who is or was entrusted with the organisation, affairs or management of the society or any past or present officer or servant of the society has misappropriated or fraudulently retained any money or other property or has been guilty of breach of trust in relation to the society or has caused any deficiency in the assets of the society by breach of trust or wilful negligence or has made any payment contrary to the provisions of this Act, the rules or the bye-laws, the Registrar himself, or any person specially authorised by him in this behalf, of his own motion or on the application of the committee, liquidator or any creditor or contributory, may inquire into the conduct of such person or officer or servant and make an order requiring him/her or his/her legal heir to repay or restore the money or property or any part thereof with interest at such rate as the Registrar or the person authorised as aforesaid thinks just or to contribute such sum to the assets of the society by way of compensation in respect of the misappropriation, misapplication of funds, fraudulent retention, breach of trust, or wilful negligence as the Registrar or the person authorised as aforesaid thinks just: Provided that no order shall be passed against any person referred to in this sub-section unless the person concerned has been given an opportunity of making his representation in the manner as prescribed by the Registrar from time to time.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in any law for the time being in force, if any dispute touching the constitution, management or the business of a society, or the liquidation of a society arises— (a) among members, past members and persons claiming through members, past members and deceased members; or (b) between a member, past member or person claiming through a member, past member or deceased member and the society, its committee or any officer, agent or employee of the society; or (c) between the society or its committee, and any past committee, any officer, agent or employee, or any past officer, past agent or past employee or the nominee, heir or legal representative of any deceased officer, deceased agent or deceased employee of the society; or (d) between the society and any other society, such dispute shall be referred to the Registrar for decision: Provided that the such dispute has already been referred to the subcommittee of the society constituted for the purpose and could not be resolved by such sub-committee amicably, it shall be referred to the Registrar for decision. (2) If any question arises whether a dispute referred to the Registrar under this section is a dispute touching the constitution, management or the business of a society, such question shall be decided by the Registrar. (3) Every dispute relating to, or in connection with, any election to a committee of a society shall be referred for decision to the Tribunal having jurisdiction over the place where the main office of the society is situated, whose decision thereon shall be final. (4) Every dispute relating to, or in connection with, any election shall be referred under sub-section (3) only after the date of declaration of the result of such election.

(1) The Registrar may, on receipt of the reference of a dispute under section 61- (a) elect to decide the dispute himself; or (b) transfer it for disposal to any person who has been invested by the Government with powers in that behalf; or (c) refer it for disposal to an arbitrator. (2) Where the reference relates to any dispute involving immovable property, the Registrar or such person or arbitrator, may order that any person be joined as a party who has acquired any interest in such property subsequent to the acquisition of interest therein by a party to the reference and any decision that may be passed on the reference by the Registrar, or the person or the arbitrator aforesaid, shall be binding on the party so joined as if he were an original party to the reference. (3) The Registrar may, by order for reasons to be recorded therein, withdraw any reference transferred under clause (b) of sub-section (1) or referred under clause (c) of that sub-section and may elect to decide the dispute himself or transfer it to any other person under clause (b) of sub-section (1) or refer it to any other arbitrator under clause (c) of that sub-section. (4) The Registrar, such person or arbitrator shall decide the dispute in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules and bye-laws and such decision shall, subject to the provisions of section 76, be final. Pending final decision on the dispute, the Registrar, such person or arbitrator, as the case may be may make such interlocutory orders as he may deem necessary in the interest of justice.

(1) If a society is unable to pay its debts to a financing bank by reason of its members committing default in the payment of the finding moneys due by them, the financing bank may direct the committee of such society to proceed against such members under section 61 or section 70, as the case may be, and if the committee fails to do so within a period of ninety days from the date of receipt of such direction, the financing bank itself may proceed against such members under section 61 or section 70, in which case, the provisions of this Act, the rules or the bye-laws shall apply as if all references to the society or its committee in the said provisions were references to the financing bank. (2) Where a financing bank has obtained a decree or award against a society in respect of moneys due to it from the society, the financing bank may proceed to recover such moneys firstly from the assets of the society and secondly from the members to the extent of their debts due to the society.

(1) If the Registrar, after an inquiry has been held under section 51 or an inspection has been made under section 52 or on receipt of an application made by not less than two-thirds of the members is of opinion that the society ought to be wound up, he may after giving the society an opportunity of making its representation by order direct it to be wound up. (2) The Registrar may, of his own motion and after giving the society an opportunity of making its representation, if any, make an order directing the winding up of a society- (a) [xxx] (b) where the society has not commenced working within the prescribed period or has ceased to work; (c) where in the opinion of the Registrar the society is conducting its affairs in a manner detrimental to the interests or its members or the promotion of the object for which it has been registered. (d) If the society fails to renew its registration as provided under section 8A of this Act.

(1) Where the Registrar has made an order under section 64 for the winding up of a society, he may appoint a liquidator for that purpose and fix his remuneration. (2) On the appointment of a liquidator, the property, assets effects and actionable claims or liabilities of the society as on the date of appointment shall vest in or devolve on the liquidator. He shall take such steps as he may deem necessary or expedient to prevent loss or deterioration of, or damage to such property, assets, effects and actionable claims. (3) Where an order of winding up of a society is set aside in appeal, the property, assets, effects and actionable claims or liabilities of the society as on the date of such setting aside shall revest in or devolve on, the society.

(1) Subject to the control of the Registrar, the liquidator shall have the power- (a) to institute and defend suits and other legal proceedings on behalf of the society by the name of his office; (b) to realise the assets of the society, by sale or otherwise; (c) to determine, from time to time the contribution to be made or remaining to be made and the debts due by the members or past members or by the estates or nominees, heirs or legal representatives of deceased members or by any officers or former officers, to the society; (d) to investigate all claims against the society, and subject to the provisions of this Act, to decide questions of priority arising between claimants; (e) to pay claims against the society including interest upto the date of winding up according to their respective priorities, if any, in full or rateably, as the assets of the society, may permit: the surplus, if any, remaining after payment of the claims, being applied in payment of interest from the date of such order of winding up at a rate fixed by him but not exceeding the contract rate in any case; (f) to determine and apportion the costs of liquidation as prescribed by the Registrar from time to time; (g) to determine whether any person is a member, past member or nominee of deceased member; (h) to give such directions in regard to the collection and distribution of the assets of the society as may appear to him to be necessary for winding up the affairs of the society; (i) to carry on the business of the society so far as may be necessary for its beneficial winding up; (j) with the previous approval of the prescribed authority, to make any compromise or arrangement with creditors or persons claiming to be creditors or having or alleging to have any claim present or future, where by the society may be rendered liable; and (k) with the previous approval of the prescribed authority, to compromise all calls or liabilities to any calls and debts and liabilities capable of resulting in debts, and all claims present or future, certain or contingent, subsisting or alleged to subsist between the society and a contributory or alleged contributory or other debtor or person apprehending liability to the society and all questions in any way relating to or affecting the assets or the winding up of the society on such terms as may be agreed and take any security for the discharge of any such call, liability, debt or claim and give a complete discharge in respect thereof; (l) to raise on the security of the assets of the society any money required with the permission of the Government. (2) Any sum ordered under this section to be recovered as a contribution to the assets of a society or as costs of liquidation may be re-covered, on a requisition being made in this behalf by the Registrar to the Collector in the same manner as arrears of land revenue. (3) Save as provided in sub-section (2), orders made under this section shall, on application, be enforced by any Civil Court having local jurisdiction in the same manner as a decree of such court. (4) The liquidator shall continue to exercise his powers until the affairs of the society are completely wound up, when he shall make a report to the Registrar and deposit the records of the society in such place as the Registrar may direct. (5) (a) Ex-Promoters, Directors, officers and employees who are/were, who are or have been associated with affairs of the society shall extend full cooperation to the Liquidator in discharge of his functions. (b) Ex-Promoters, Directors, officers and employees who are/were or have been associated with affairs of the society shall extend full cooperation to the Liquidator in discharge of his functions. Where any person without reasonable cause fails to discharge his obligation under this section shall be punishable under section 79 of the Act.

Where a society has been ordered to be wound up under section 64, no member shall alienate his property movable or immovable, from the date of the order of winding up and until after expiration of Ninety days from the date on which the order of winding up takes effect. Any alienation of the property made by a member in contravention of this section is voidable at the option of the liquidator.

Where the affairs of a society have been completely wound up after considering the report of the liquidator under sub-section (4) of section 66, the Registrar shall, by order in writing, cancel the registration of the society. The society shall cease to exist as a corporate body from the date of such order.

Where, in the opinion of the Registrar, a society which has been ordered to be wound up may be restored to a committee constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the rules and bye-laws, he may, at any time, before the affairs of the society have been completely wound up, cancel or withdraw the order of winding up and direct the liquidator to constitute a committee in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the rules and the bye-laws and hand over the management of the affairs of the society to such committee. The property assets, effects and actionable claims or liabilities of the society as on the date of such cancellation or withdrawal shall revest in or devolve on the society.

(1) The winding up proceedings shall be closed within a period of three years from the date of the order of winding up and after the expiry of the said period of three years, the Registrar may extend the period by two more years while recording the reasons. (2) On the termination of the liquidation proceedings the liquidator shall make a report to the Registrar.

Surplus assets as shown in the final report of the liquidator of a society which has been wound up shall be utilized for such purposes as may be specified in the bye-laws. Where the society has no such bye-laws, the surplus assets shall vest in the Registrar who shall hold it in trust and shall transfer it to the reserve funds of a society registered with a similar object and serving more or less an area which the society to which the surplus belonged was serving.

(1) The Registrar or any person authorised by him in this behalf may, without prejudice to any other mode of recovery provided by or under this Act recover— (a) any amount due under a decision or an order of the Registrar, or any person authorised by him, or an arbitrator; (b) any amount ordered to be paid towards the expenses of a general meeting of a society called under section 32; (c) any amount awarded by way of costs under section 56 to a society including a financing bank or a federal society; (d) any amount payable towards fees under section 58; (e) any amount ordered under section 60 to be repaid to a society or recovered as a contribution to its assets; or (f) any amount ordered under section 66 to be recovered as a contribution to its assets; together with the interest, if any, due on such amount and the costs of process by the attachment and sale or by sale without attachment of the property of the person or the society against whom such decision or order, has been passed or obtained. (2) Every order or decision made under section 60, section 71, section 76, section 77 or section 78 for the recovery of any amount may be executed in the following manner,— (a) by the civil court having local jurisdiction on a certificate signed by the Registrar or any person authorised by him in this behalf as if the order or decision were a decree of that court; or (b) by the Collector, on an application made to him within twelve years from the date fixed for payment in the order or decision and if no such date is fixed from the date of the order or decision, along with a certificate signed by the Registrar or by any person authorised by him in this behalf, as if the amount due under the order or decision were an arrear of land revenue; or (c) by the Registrar or any other person authorised by him in this behalf, in the manner provided under sub-section (1).

Every order or decision of a non-monetary nature made under the provisions of section 62, section 76, section 77, or section 78, shall be executed by the Civil Court having jurisdiction, as if such order or decision is a decree of that Court on a certificate issued by the Registrar or any person authorised by him in this behalf.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force and without prejudice to any other mode of recovery which is being taken or may be taken, the Registrar may, (on the application made by a society or financing bank or federal society as the case may be, for the recovery of arrears of any sum advanced to any of its members and on furnishing a statement) of accounts in respect of the arrears and after making such enquiry as he deems fit and after issuing notices to member/guarantor to issue a certificate for the recovery of the amount stated therein to be due as arrears. (2) Where the Registrar is satisfied that (a society) has failed to take action under sub-section (1) in respect of any amount due as arrears, he may on his own motion, and after making such enquiry as he deems fit, after issuing notices to member/guarantor, issue a certificate for the recovery of the amount stated therein to be due as arrears and such a certificate shall be deemed to have been issued on an application made by the society concerned. (3) A certificate issued by the Registrar under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be final and conclusive proof of the arrears stated to be due therein and the certificate shall be executed in the manner specified in sub-section (2) of section 70.

The Registrar or any person authorised by him in this behalf shall be deemed, when exercising any power under this Act for the recovery of any amount by the attachment and sale or by sale without attachment of any property, or when passing any orders on any application made to him for such recovery, or to take steps in aid of such recovery or for eviction from property put up for sale under section 70 or 71 of this Act, to be a civil court for the purpose of article 182 of the First Schedule to the Indian Limitation Act, 1908.

The Registrar or any other person authorised by him, as the case may be, in order to make good any loss caused by a member, Officer or employee of society by way committing any offences / embezzlement / misappropriation of funds of the society and order of which is yet to be decided, may bring under notice for attachment of properties pertaining to, the person/s responsible for causing such loss or his legal heirs or any person who has acquired the properties from such person or with the assistance of such person, unless adequate security is furnished, direct the attachment of the said property under this section.

(1) Any amount due from a society or from an officer, former officer or member or past or deceased member of a society as such to Government including any costs awarded to Government under this Act may, on a certificate issued by the Registrar in this behalf, be recovered by the Registrar or any other person authorised by him in this behalf or by the Collector in the same manner as arrears of land revenue. (2) Any amount due from a society to Government and recoverable under sub-section (1) may be recovered, firstly from the property of the society, secondly in the case of a society the liability of the members of which is limited, from the members, past members or the estates of deceased members subject to the limit of their liability, and, thirdly in the case of other societies, from the members, past members or the estates of deceased members: Provided that the liability of past members and the estates of deceased members shall in all cases be subject to the provisions of section 29.

(1) The Government may, for the purpose of this Act, by notification constitute as many Tribunals as may be necessary for such area or areas as may be specified in the notification. (2)The Tribunal shall consist of a Chairman and not more than two other members to be appointed by the Government.

(1) Any person or society aggrieved by any decision passed or order made under section 6, section 9A, section 9B, section 9C, section 12A, section 13, section 16, section 17, section 19, section 21, section 21A, section 21AA, section 23, sub-section (3) of section 32, section 34, section 34A, section 60, section 62, section 64, section 66, section 70, section 71, section 73 and section 117 may appeal to the Tribunal: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to any order or withdrawal or transfer of a dispute under sub-section (3) of section 62. (2) On a reference made by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, the Tribunal shall call for and examine the records of any proceeding which is appealable to it for the purpose of satisfying itself as to the legality or propriety of any decision or order passed and where it appears to the Tribunal that any such decision or order should be modified, annulled or reversed, the Tribunal may pass such order thereon as it may deem fit. (3) Any appeal under sub-section (1) shall, subject to the other provisions of this Act, be preferred within sixty days from the date of communication to the appellant of the decision, refusal or order complained of but the Tribunal may admit an appeal preferred after the said period of sixty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant has sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the said period. (4) In disposing of an appeal under this section, the Tribunal may, after giving the parties an opportunity of making their representations, pass such order thereon as it may deem fit. (5) The decision or order of the Tribunal on appeal shall be final. (6) The Tribunal may pass such interim orders pending the decision on the appeal as may deem fit. (7) The Tribunal may award costs in any proceedings before that authority to be paid either out of the funds of the society or by such party to the appeal as the Tribunal may deem fit.

(1) The Registrar may of his own motion or on application made to him, call for and examine the record of any officer subordinate to him and the Government may of their own motion or on application made to them, call for and examine the record of the Registrar, in respect of any proceeding not being a proceeding in respect of which an appeal to the Tribunal is provided by sub section (1) of section 76 to satisfy himself or themselves as to the regularity of such proceeding, or the correctness, legality or propriety of any decision passed or order made therein; and, if, in any case, it appears to the Registrar or the Government that any such decision or order should be modified, annulled, reversed or remitted for reconsideration, he or they may pass orders accordingly: Provided that every application to the Registrar or the Government for the exercise of the powers under this section shall be preferred within ninety days from the date on which the proceeding, decision or order to which the application relates was communicated to the applicant. (2) No order prejudicial to any person shall be passed under sub-section (1) unless such person has been given an opportunity of making his representation. (3) The Registrar or the Government, as the case may be, may suspend the decision or order pending the exercise of his or their power under sub-section (1) in respect thereof. (4) The Registrar or the Government may award costs in proceedings under this section to be paid either out of the funds of the society or by such party to the application for revision as the Registrar or the Government may deem fit. Explanation:- For the purposes of this section, the expression ‘Registrar‘ means the Registrar of Co-operative Societies for the State appointed as such under sub-section (1) of section 3.

(1) The appellant or the applicant for revision or the respondent may apply for the review of any order passed under section 76 or section 77 on the basis of the discovery of new and important facts which after the exercise of due diligence, were not then within his knowledge or could not be produced by him when the order was made, or on the basis of some mistake or error apparent on the face of the record or for any other sufficient reason: Provided that no application for review shall be preferred more than once in respect of the same order. (2) Every application for review shall be preferred to the authority which passed the order under section 76 or section 77 within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed. (3) The decision or order passed on the application in review shall be final. (4) The authority competent to pass orders on an application for review may pass such interlocutory order pending the decision on the application for review as that authority may deem fit. (5) The authority referred to in sub-section (4) may award costs in any proceedings for review to be paid either out of the funds of the society or by such party to the application for review as it may deem fit.

(1) it shall be an offence under the Act, if— (a) The Committee or an officer or member or an employee of the society thereof wilfully makes a false return or fails to files returns within the specified time or furnishes false information, or any person wilfully not furnishes any information lawfully required from him by a person authorised in this behalf under the provisions of the Act; (b) any person wilfully or without any reasonable excuse disobeys any summons, requisition or lawful written order issued under the provisions of this Act; (c) any person wilfully withholds or fails to furnish any information lawfully required from him by a person authroised in this behalf under the provisions of this Act; (d) any person acts in contravention of section 35, section 36, sub-section (2) of section 48 or sub-section (3) of section 83B; (e) any officer or custodian who willfully fails to handover custody of books, accounts, documents, records, cash, security and other property belonging to a co-operative society of which he is an officer or custodian, to an authorized person; and (f) an officer, or an employee of the society including the paid Secretary dishonestly or fraudulently misappropriates or otherwise converts for his own use or intentionally causes loss to the property of the society entrusted to him or under his control as such officer or employee or allows any other person so to do; (g) an officer, or an employee of the society is or proved to have been in possession of any property of the society reasonably suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained; or (h) any officer or employee abets any offence punishable under this Act whether or not that offence is committed in consequence of that abetment; (i) any employer who, without sufficient cause, fails to pay to a co-operative society the amount deducted by him from its employee within a period of fourteen days from the date on which such deduction is made; (j) whoever, before, during or after the election of members of the board or office bearers, adopts any corrupt practice; (k) when a cooperative society or elected Board fails to produce necessary records and necessary information for conduct of audit and get the approval of the audit accounts by the General body of the Society within six months: Provided that, the responsibility for the offence committed under sub-section 79 (1) (k) lies with the Chief Executive officer of the society called by any designation and the managing committee or Board present at the time of audit and those belonging to the period for which the audit is being conducted: Provided further that, the responsibility for the offence committed by the co-operative society under this section lies with the Chief Executive Officer of the society called by any designation. (2) An offence under Clauses (a) to (c) of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and with fine which may extend to Rs. 20,000. (3) An offence in sub-section (1), under- (i) clauses (e) and (f), shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to seven years; (ii) clause (g), shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years; and (iii) clauses (h) and (k) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years; (iv) clause (j) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than two years but which may extend to seven years.

(1) where any officer of a society or an employee or a paid servant or any member of such society,- (a) commits any irregularity in receipt or sanction of loans or in purchases or causes, deficit in stocks; or (b) accepts or obtains or agrees to accept or attempts to obtain from any person for himself or for any other person, any gratification whatever, other than legal remuneration as a motive or reward for doing or forbearing to do any official act or showing or for bearing to show, in the exercise of his official functions or duties favour or disfavour to any person or rendering or attempting to render any service or dis-service to any person; or (c) uses or allows the use of funds of the society otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act, rules or the bye-laws of the society; or (d) signs in the minutes books of committee meetings of the society without actually attending such meetings; or (e) passes a meeting without proper quorum as valid, it shall be deemed to be guilty of a corrupt practice in relation to the society. Explanation: For the purposes of this section,- (i) ‗irregularity in receipt or sanction of loan‘ includes,- (i) receipt of loan by or sanction of loan to any person who does not own or cultivate any land or the extent of land shown in the application for loan, where owning or cultivating land is condition precedent for the sanction of loan; and (ii) fictitious loan; (ii) ‗irregularity in purchases‘ includes purchases, made with the intention to gain wrongfully, of,- (i) sub-standard or adulterated goods; (ii) goods by paying higher price; (iii) goods in excess of requirement. (2) Every person guilty of a corrupt practice shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to one year or with fine which may extend to Rs. 50,000 or with both.

(1) No person other than a society shall trade or carry on business under any name or title of which the word ‘co-operative’ or its equivalent in any Indian language is part without the sanction of the Government: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to the use by any person or his successor in interest of any name or title under which he traded or carried on business at the date on which the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 and the Co-operative Credit Societies Act, 1323 F. came into operation. (2) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs. 200 and in the case of a continuing offence with further fine of Rs. 50 for each day on which the offence is continued after conviction therefor.

The committee or an officer or an employee of a society who fails to give effect to, any decision or order under section 62, or where an appeal against such decision or order has been filed to the order passed by the appropriate appellate authority, such decision or order not being a money decree, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs. 500.

Any society or any officer or member thereof or any other person contravening the provisions of this Act for which no punishment is expressly provided herein shall be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs. 50.

(1) No court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate shall try any offence under this Act. (2) Every offence under this Act shall, for the purpose of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, be deemed to be cognizable. (3) No prosecution shall be instituted under this Act without the previous sanction of the Registrar.

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(1) In the trail of offences by the Court it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved that any member, officer or employee of a society,- (a) who draws the amounts from the financing institutions and fails to properly disburse or account for it has misappropriated the amounts; (b) who is responsible for the custody of books and properties or who is in actual possession thereof, fails to produce the same on requisition by the Registrar or any person authorised by him, has wilfully withheld the same; (c) who makes any false entries or manipulates or alters the account books of the society, has wilfully committed the said act in order to cause loss or damage to the society; (d) who misuses the properties of the society in contravention of the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder or the Bye-laws of the society has done so, for his personal benefit; (e) who executes any documents or enters into an agreement for sale or purchase of the land plots in contravention of the provisions of the registered bye-laws of the society, has done so for his personal benefit and in order to cause loss to the members of the society. (2) Any member, officer or employee of the society who issues any receipt shall be deemed to have issued the same in the name of the society and shall be responsible to account for the same. (3) Notwithstanding the criminal liability the member, officer or employee of a society shall be responsible to make good the loss caused to the society by committing such offences and the same shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue by the District Collector or the person authorised by him from the person responsible for causing such loss or his legal heirs or any person who has acquired the properties from such person or with the assistance of such person.

Where any member, officer or employee of a society has made a statement during the inquiry under section 51 or inspection under section 52 and the statement is recorded by the Registrar or the person authorised by the Registrar in exercise of their powers conferred on them under this Act, the court shall presume that the statement was so recorded by the Registrar or the person authorised by him as a statement within the meaning of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

In this Chapter,— (a) ‘Board‘ means the Board of directors of the Telangana State Co-operative Apex Bank Limited (TESCAB); and includes a financing bank or any person authorised by it. (b) [xxx] (c) ‘Agricultural Development Bank‘ means a co-operative society registered as such or deemed to be registered under this Act; (d) ‘Trustee‘ means the Trustee referred to in section 86.

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the Agricultural Development Banks advancing loans for the purposes herein enumerated, that is to say- (i) land improvement and productive purposes; (ii) the erection, rebuilding or repairing of houses for agricultural purposes; (iii) the purchase or acquisition of title to agricultural lands by tenants; or (iv) the liquidation of debts of agriculturists under the relevant law for the time being in force; (v) the acquisition, construction, rebuilding or repairing of rural dwelling houses. Explanation.— Land improvement or productive purpose means any work, construction or activity which adds to the productivity of the land and, in particular includes the following, that is to say- (a) construction and repair of wells (including tube wells), tanks and other works for the storage, supply or distribution of water for the purpose of agriculture, or for the use of men and cattle employed in agriculture; (b) renewal or reconstruction of any of the foregoing works, or alterations therein, or additions thereto; (c) preparation of land for irrigation; (d) drainage, reclamation from rivers or other waters, or protection from floods or from erosion or other damage by water, of land used for agricultural purposes or waste land which is cultivable; (e) binding and similar improvements; (f) reclamation, clearance and enclosure or permanent improvement of land for agricultural purposes; (g) horticulture; (h) purchase of oil-engines, pumping sets and electrical motors for any of the purpose mentioned herein; (i) purchase of tractors or other agricultural machinery; (j) increase of the productive capacity of land by addition to it of special variety of oil; (k) construction of permanent farm houses, cattle sheds, and sheds for processing of agricultural produce at any stage; (l) purchase of machinery for crushing sugarcane, manufacturing gur or Khandsari or sugar; (m) such other purpose as the Government may specify from time to time, by notification in the Telangana Gazette.

(1) The Registrar, or where the Government appoint any other person in this behalf, such person, shall be the Trustee for the purpose of securing the fulfillment of the obligation of the Telangana State Co-operative Apex Bank Limited (TESCAB); to the holders of debentures issued by the Board. (2) The powers and functions of the Trustee shall be governed by the provisions of this Act and by the instrument of trust executed between the [Central Agricultural Development Bank] and the Trustee as modified from time to time by mutual agreement between the Board and the Trustee.

The Trustee shall be a corporation sole by the name of the Trustee for the debentures, and as such shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and in his corporate name shall sue and be sued.

(1) With the previous sanction of the Trustee, and the Government and subject to such terms and conditions as the Government may impose, the Board may, from time to time issue debentures of such denominations for such periods as it may deem expedient, on the security of the mortgages held or mortgages partly held and partly to be acquired and other assets transferred or deemed to have been transferred under the provisions of section 94, by the primary agricultural co-operative societies to the financing bank and by the financing bank to the Telangana State Co-operative Apex Bank Limited (TESCAB); shall be substituted, and other properties of such Bank. (2) Such debentures may contain a term fixing a period not exceeding ten years from the date of issue during which they shall be irredeemable, or reserving to the Board the right to call in at any time any of the debentures in advance of the date fixed for redemption, after giving to the debenture holder concerned not less than three months‘ notice in writing. (3) The total amount due on the debentures already issued and outstanding together with that proposed to be issued shall not exceed the aggregate of- (a) the amounts due on the mortgages and the value of the other assets transferred or deemed to have been transferred under the provisions of section 94 to the [Central Agricultural Development Bank] and subsisting at such time; (b) the accumulations in the sinking funds; and (c) the cash on hand and balances with banks and the book value or market value of securities under general funds, whichever is less.

The holders of the debentures shall have a floating charge on— (a) all such mortgages and assets as are referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 88; (b) the amount paid under such mortgages and remaining in the hands of the Board or of the Trustee; (c) The other properties of the (Telangana State Co-operative Apex Bank Limited (TESCAB).

(1) The principal of and interest on, the debentures issued under the Andhra Pradesh (Andhra area) Co-operative Land Mortgage Banks Act, 1934 and those issued under section 88 shall in respect of such maximum amount as may be fixed by the Government and subject to such conditions as they may think fit to impose carry the guarantee of the Government. (2) The Government may, subject to the provisions of any Act in that regard, increase the maximum amount if any guarantee given under sub-section (1). (3) The Government may, after consulting the Board and the Trustee,— (a) by notification in the Telangana Gazette, and (b) by notice of not less than fourteen days in such of the important news papers in the State and of other States in India as the Government may select in this behalf withdraw any guarantee given by them or restrict the maximum amount thereof or modify the conditions, subject to which it was given with effect from a specified date not being earlier than six months from the date of the publication of the notification referred to in clause (a): Provided that the withdrawal, restriction or modification of any guarantee under this sub-section, shall not in any way affect the guarantee carried by any debentures issued under the Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Area) Co-operative Land Mortgage Banks Act, 1934 or under this Act prior to the date on which such withdrawal, restriction or modification takes effect. (4) Every notification and notice referred to in sub-section (3), shall, where the maximum amount of the guarantee is to be restricted, or the conditions subject to which the guarantee was given are to be modified, set forth precisely the scope and effect of the restriction or modification, as the case may be.

Where a [Central Agricultural Development Bank] or [an Agricultural Development Bank] has given a loan to a member for the development of any land in excess of the amount of the loan to which such member would be entitled on the basis of the value of the land as determined in accordance with the principles of valuation approved by the Government, the Government may guarantee for a specified period the repayment of the loan to the extent of the excess.

A [mortgage created in favour of] [an Agricultural Development Bank] shall have priority over any claim of the Government arising from a loan under the Land Improvement Loans Act, 1883 granted subsequent to the [creation of the mortgage].

(1) Notwithstanding anything in any other law for the time being in force, it shall be lawful for [an Agricultural Development Bank] or the [Central Agricultural Development Bank] to purchase any mortgaged property sold under this Chapter, and the property so purchased shall be disposed of by such bank by sale within such period as may be fixed by the Trustee. (2) Nothing in the [Telangana Land Reforms (Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings Act, 1973)] fixing a maximum limit of agricultural holding shall apply to the acquisition of land by [an Agricultural Development Bank] or the [Central Agricultural Development Bank] under sub-section (1).

The [mortgages created in favour of] and all other assets transferred to [an Agricultural Development Bank] by the members thereof shall, with effect from the [date of such creation] or transfer, be deemed to have been transferred by such [Agricultural Development Bank] to the [Central Agricultural Development Bank] and shall vest in the Trustee.

Notwithstanding that [a mortgage created in favour of] [an Agricultural Development Bank] has been transferred, or is deemed under the provisions of section 94 to have been transferred, to the [Central Agricultural Development Bank]. (a) all moneys due under the mortgage shall, in the absence of any specific direction to the contrary issued by the Board or Trustee and communicated to the mortgage or be payable to the [Agricultural Development Bank] and such payment shall be as valid as if the mortgage had not been so transferred; and (b) the [Agricultural Development Bank] shall, in the absence of any specific direction to the contrary issued by the Board or Trustee and communicated to the [Agricultural Development Bank] be entitled to sue on the mortgage or take any other proceeding for the recovery of the moneys due under the mortgage.

(1) [Where a mortgage is created in favour of] an [Agricultural Development Bank] for payment of prior debts of the mortgagor, the bank may, notwithstanding anything in the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, by notice in writing, require any person to whom any such debt is due, to receive payment of such debt or part thereof from the bank at its registered office within such period as may be specified in the notice. (2) Where any such person fails to receive such notice or such payment, such debt or part thereof, as the case may be, shall cease to carry interest from the expiration of the period specified in the notice: Provided that where there is a dispute as regards the amount of any such debt, the person to whom such debt is due shall be bound to receive payment of the amount offered by the [Agricultural Development Bank] towards the debt but such receipt shall not prejudice the right, if any, of such person, to recover the balance claimed by him.

Subject to the provisions of this Act and in accordance with the rules made thereunder, it shall be competent for an [Agricultural Development Bank] to advance loans for the purposes referred to in section 85 and to hold lands the possession of which is transferred to it under the provisions of this Chapter.

(1) When an application for a loan is made for any of the purposes mentioned in section 85 a public notice shall be given of the application in such manner as may be prescribed calling upon all persons interested to make their objections to the loan if any, before the date specified therein. The person by whom such public notice shall be (1) The prescribed person shall consider every objection made under sub-section (1) and pass an order in writing either upholding or overruling it. When the objection is overruled, he shall recommend the application to the Agricultural Development Bank for its consideration: Provided that, when the question raised by an objection is in the opinion of such person one of such a nature that it cannot be satisfactorily decided except by a civil court, he shall postpone the proceedings on the application until the question has been so decided. (3) A notice under sub-section (1), published in the manner prescribed, shall, for the purpose of this Act be deemed to be proper notice to all persons having or claiming interest in the land to be improved, or offered as security for the loan. (4) Where an application is recommended under sub-section (2) the Agricultural Development Bank shall, in accordance with the rules made in this behalf, consider such application for the purpose of making the loan.

A written order by the Agricultural Development Bank, or persons or committees authorised by this Act or under the bye-laws of the bank to make loans for all or any of the purposes specified in section 85 granting, either before or after the commencement of this Act, a loan to or with the consent of a person mentioned therein, for the purpose of carrying out the work specified therein for the benefit of the land or for the productive purpose specified therein, shall for the purposes of this Act be conclusive of the following matters, namely:- (a) that the work described or the purpose for which the loan is granted, is an improvement or productive purpose, as the case may be, within the meaning of section 85; (b) that the person had at the date of the order a right to make such an improvement, or incur expenditure for productive purpose, as the case may be; and (c) that the improvement is one benefiting the land specified and productive purpose concerns the land offered as security, or any part thereof as may be relevant.

Any loan granted by a Agricultural Development Bank, including any interest chargeable thereon, and costs, if any, incurred in connection therewith, shall when they become due, be recoverable by the Agricultural Development Bank.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, on an application made by an Agricultural Development Bank for the recovery of arrears of any sum advanced by it to any of its members and on its furnishing a statement of accounts in respect of the arrears, the Registrar may, after making such enquiries as he deems fit, grant a certificate for the recovery of the amount stated therein to be due as arrears. (2) A certificate by the Registrar under sub-section (1) shall be final and conclusive as to the arrears due. The arrears stated to be due therein shall be recoverable by the Collector in the same manner as arrears of land revenue. (3) It shall be lawful to the Collector to take any precautionary measure until the arrears due to the Agricultural Development Bank together with interest and any incidental charges incurred in the recovery of such arrears, are paid or security of such arrears is furnished to the satisfaction of the Registrar. (4) It shall be competent for the Registrar or a person authorised by him to direct conditional attachment of the property of the mortgagor until the arrears due to the Agricultural Development Bank together with interest and any incidental charges incurred in the recovery of such arrears, are paid or security for payment of such arrears is furnished to the satisfaction of the Registrar and the provisions of section 73 shall apply mutatis mutandis to conditional attachment of any property made or to be made under this section.

(1) During such period as the Government may, by general or special order notify in the Telangana Gazette, it shall be competent for the Collector, on application being made to him in that behalf by an Agricultural Development Bank to recover all sums due to the bank, including the cost of such recovery. (2) Any sum due to an Agricultural Development Bank shall be recoverable by the Collector, or any officer specially authorised by the Collector in this behalf, in all or any of the following modes, namely:- (a) from the borrower—as if they were arrears of land revenue due by him; (b) out of the land for the benefit of which the loan has been granted as if they were arrears of land revenue due in respect of that land; (c) from a surety, if any, as if they were arrears of land revenue due by him; (d) out of the property comprised in the collateral security, if any, according to the procedure for the realisation of land revenue by the sale of immovable property other than the land on which the revenue is due.

(1) If any installment payable under a mortgage created in favour of an Agricultural Development Bank or any part of such installment has remained unpaid for more than one month from the date on which it fell due, the committee, may in addition to any other remedy available to the bank apply to the Registrar or such other person on whom the power of the Registrar to recover any amount due by attachment and sale of property has been conferred by the Government under section 3 for the recovery of such installment or part thereof by distraint and sale of the produce of the mortgaged land including the standing crops thereon and any other movable property of the defaulter. On receipt of such application, the Registrar or such other person may notwithstanding anything in the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, direct distraint and sale of such produce and if necessary, also of such other movable property of the defaulter: Provided that such implements of husbandry and such cattle of the defaulter as may in the opinion of the Registrar or such other person, be necessary to enable the defaulter to earn his livelihood as an agriculturist shall not be liable for such distraint and sale: Provided further that no such distraint shall be made after the expiration of twenty-four months from the date on which the installment fell due. (2) The value of the property distrained shall be, as far as may be, equal to the amount due and the expenses of the distraint and the costs of the sale.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in the Transfer of Properly Act 1882, the committee of the Financing Bank or any person authorised by the Primary Agricultural Co-operative Society in this behalf shall, in case of default of payment of mortgage money due, have power, in addition to any other remedy available to the bank, to bring the mortgaged property to rate without the intervention of the court. (2) No such power shall be exercised unless and until,— (a) the Board has previously authorised the exercise of the power conferred by sub-section (1) after considering the representations, if any, of the mortgagor; (b) registered notice requiring payment of such mortgage money or part has been served upon — (i) the mortgagor; (ii) any person who has any interest in or charge upon the property mortgaged or in or upon the right to redeem the same; (iii) any surety for the payment of the mortgage debt or any part thereof; and (iv) any creditor of the mortgagor who has in a suit for the administration of his estate obtained a decree for sale of the mortgaged property; and (c) default has been made in payment of such mortgage money due for three months after such service.

Where any property mortgaged to an Agricultural Development Bank is wholly or partially destroyed or the security is rendered insufficient and the mortgagor, having been given an opportunity by the committee of the Agricultural Development Bank, of providing further security enough to make the whole security sufficient or of repaying such destroyed portion of the loan as may be determined by the committee, has failed to provide such security or to repay such portion of the loan, the whole of the loan shall be deemed to fall due at once and the committee shall be entitled to take action against the mortgagor under section 103 or section 104 for the recovery thereof. Explanation.— For the purpose of this section, security is deemed to be insufficient unless the value of the mortgaged property exceeds the amount for the time being due on the mortgage by such proportion as may be specified in the bye-laws of the Agricultural Development Bank.

(1) The Board or the Trustee may direct the committee of an Agricultural Development Bank to take action against a defaulter under section 103, section 104 or section 105 and if the committee neglects or fails to do so, the Board or the Trustee may take such action. (2) (a) Where such action is taken by the Board, the provisions of this Chapter and of any rules and regulations made in this behalf shall apply as if all references to the Agricultural Development Bank and to its committee in the said provisions were references to the Central Agricultural Development Bank, and the Board, respectively.

Where any property is sold in the exercise or purported exercise of a power of sale under section 104, the title of the purchaser shall not be questioned on the ground that— (a) the circumstances required for authorising the sale had not arisen, or (b) due notice of the sale was not given, or (c) the power of sale was otherwise improperly or irregularly exercised; but any person who has suffered any damage by an unauthorised, improper or irregular exercise of any such power is entitled to have a remedy in damages against the [Agricultural Development Bank].

Notwithstanding anything in any law relating to insolvency, a mortgage created in favour of an [Agriculture Development Bank], shall not be called in question on the ground that it was not created in good faith for valuable consideration or on the ground that it was created in order to give the [Agricultural Development Bank] a preference over the other creditors of the mortgagor.

(1) The Board may, on the application of an [Agricultural Development Bank] and under circumstances in which the power of sale conferred by section 104 may be exercised, appoint in writing a receiver of the produce and income of the mortgaged property or any part thereof and such receiver shall be entitled either to take possession of the property or collect its produce and income, as the case may be to retain out of any money realised by him, his expenses of management including his remuneration, if any, as fixed by the Board and to apply the balance in accordance with provisions of sub-section (8) of section 69-A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. (2) The Board may for sufficient cause, remove such receiver on an application made by the mortgagor and fill a vacancy in the office of the receiver. (3) Nothing in this section shall empower the Board to appoint a receiver where the mortgaged property is already in the possession of a receiver appointed by a competent court.

Notwithstanding anything in the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, or any other law for time being in force, a mortgagor shall not grant a lease of the mortgaged property for a period exceeding six years and any lease granted in contravention thereof shall be void.

The Board may, if it thinks fit, delegate all or any of its powers under sections 104, 106 and 109 to an executive committee consisting of two or more of its members, constituted by it.

The provisions of sections 102 and 103 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, and of any rule made by the High Court under section 104 of that Act for carrying out the purposes of the said sections, shall apply so far as may be, in respect of all notices to be served under this Chapter.

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Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board shall have such power of supervision over the [Agricultural Development Banks] including power of appointment, transfer and disciplinary action, in respect of the employees of the [Agricultural Development Banks] , and may, with the previous approval of the Registrar, make such regulations as may be necessary for carrying out all or any of the purposes of this Chapter.

In this Chapter,- (a) “the said Act” means the Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 1961; (b) “eligible Co-operative bank” means a Co-operative bank as defined in clause (gg) of section 2 of the said Act; (c) “Corporation” means the Deposit Insurance Corporation established under section 3 of the said Act; (d) “Reserve Bank” means the Reserve Bank of India constituted under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934; (e) All other expressions used in this chapter but not defined shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the said Act.

Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the following provisions shall apply to an eligible Co-operative bank, namely:- (i) an order for the winding up, or an order sanctioning a scheme of compromise or arrangement or amalgamation or reconstruction, of the bank may be made under the provisions of this Act only with the previous sanction in writing of the Reserve Bank; (ii) an order of the winding up of the bank shall be made under the provisions of this Act, if so required by the Reserve Bank in the circumstances referred to in section 13-D of the said Act; (iii) if so required by the Reserve Bank on any of the grounds under section 34 (1) (b) of this Act, an order shall be made under the provisions of this Act for the supersession of the committee of the management or other managing body (by whatever name called) of the bank and the appointment of official Administrator(s) thereof for a period specified by the Reserve Bank that does not exceed one year: Provided that an ex-Director on the Board of any Urban Cooperative Bank, whose Board was suspended/ superseded on the grounds of financial irregularities shall be disqualified from contesting election or co-option to the Board of Directors of any other Urban Cooperative Bank for a period of five years; (iv) an order for the winding up of the bank or an order sanctioning a scheme of compromise or arrangement or of amalgamation or reconstruction or an order for the supersession of the committee of management or other managing body (by whatever name called) of the bank and the appointment of Administrator(s) thereof made with the previous sanction in writing or on the requisition of the Reserve Bank shall not be liable to be called in question in any manner; and (v) the liquidator or the insured bank or the transferee bank, as the case may be, shall be under an obligation to repay the Corporation in the circumstances to the extent end in the manner referred to in section 21 of the said Act; (vi) at least 50% of the total value of the deposits of the Bank shall be held by members of the society (Bank) having voting rights; (vii) No member of a board of eligible Coop. Bank shall be eligible to be elected as its chairperson or president after he has held the office as such during two consecutive terms, whether full or part; (viii) notwithstanding anything contained in any other provisions under this Act, the individual share holding of a member of eligible Cooperative Bank should not exceed 5% of the total paid-up share capital of the eligible Cooperative Bank.

(a) ‘Co-operative Credit Society‘ means the Telangana Co-operative Bank (TCOB), the District Co-operative Central Bank (DCCB) and the Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society (PACS). A Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society includes Farmers Service Co-operative Society (FSCS), Co-operative Rural Bank (CRD), Large Sized Co-operative Society (LSCS) or any other Co-operative Credit Society primarily dealing with agricultural credit at primary level included under the Revival Package and other similar relief measures offered by the Government of India from time to time;

(b) ‘NABARD‘ means the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development established under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981;

(c) ‘Scheduled Area‘ means such areas as the President may by order declare to be Scheduled Area (under Fifth Schedule to Article 244(1) of the Constitution of India);

(d) All other expressions used in this chapter but not defined shall have the same meaning respectively assigned to them in section 2 of the Act, and the rules made thereunder.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Act, the following provisions shall apply to the Co-operative Credit Societies, namely:-

(1) (a) An associate member who is an individual or a group depositor holding a minimum deposit of Rs. 5,000/- (Rupees Five thousand only) in normal areas and Rs. 2,500/- (Rupees Two thousand and five hundred only) in scheduled areas or a higher sum as may be prescribed, for a continuous period of minimum two years preceding the date of notification of election in a Primary Agriculture Co-operative Credit Society shall have full voting rights.

(b) A group borrower, which is an associate member and availed a minimum loan of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees Ten thousands only) or higher amount of loan as may be prescribed for at least 6 (six) months preceding the date of notification of elections in a primary agricultural Co-operative Credit Society shall have full voting rights.

(c) Every group borrower or a group depositor which is an associate member as described under section 20 shall be entitled to vote through one delegate nominated by the group.

(2) The Co-operative Credit Society shall have autonomy in all financial and internal administrative matters, subject to the guidelines of Reserve Bank of India/ National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development in the following areas:-

(i) Interest rates on deposits and loans,

(ii) Borrowing and investments,

(iii) Loan policies and individual loan decisions,

(iv) Personnel policy, staffing, recruitment, posting, and compensation to staff, and

(v) Internal control systems, appointment of auditors and compensation for the audit.

(3) (a) The State Government‘s equity in a Co-operative Credit Society shall not exceed 25% of the paid up share capital. The State Co-operative Credit Society may reduce the State equity further at its choice.

(b) There shall be only Government nominee on the managing committee of the Telangana State Co-operative Bank/District Co-operative Central Bank as long as the equity of Government continues and there shall be no Government nominee on the managing committee of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society:

Provided that the existing nominee(s) on the managing committee shall continue till the expiry of their current term. However, they shall not have any voting right in any election or in the motion of no confidence.

(4) (I) Any co-operative society registered under the provisions of the Act and wishing to convert itself into a co-operative society under the provisions of the Telangana Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies Act, 1995 may do so subject to the provisions of the said Act, 1995.

(II) A co-operative society registered under the Telangana Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies Act, 1995 and intending to convert itself into a co-operative society under this Act may do so following the procedure given below:-

(a) It shall frame bye-laws in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(b) An application for registration shall be submitted to the Registrar by hand or registered post;

(c) Every such application shall be accompanied by,-

(i) the original and one copy of the bye-laws of the proposed co-operative society as adopted by the general body of the co-operative society registered under the Telangana Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies Act, 1995 which intends to convert itself into a co-operative society under the Act;

(ii) a true copy of the minutes of the general body meeting at which the proposed bye-laws were adopted, attested by a majority of the members of the committee of the co-operative society concerned; and

(iii) registration fee amounting to one percent of the total authorized share capital by whatever name called subject to a minimum of Rs. 1,000/- (Rupees one thousand only) and a maximum of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only).

(III) The Registrar shall, if he is satisfied that;-

(a) the application is in conformity with the requirements of the Act;

(b) the proposed bye-laws are not contrary to the provisions of the Act; and

(c) the name of the proposed co-operative society is not the same as that of a co-operative society already registered under the Act, register the co-operative society and also its bye-laws and communicate by registered post a certificate of registration and the original of the registered bye-laws signed and sealed by him within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of application from the applicant society.

(d) upon such registration, the registration made under the Telangana Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies Act, 1995, shall stand cancelled.

(IV) if the Registrar is satisfied that the requirements laid down in clause (III) are not fulfilled, he shall communicate by registered post, the order of refusal together with the reasons therefor, within thirty days from the date of receipt of application to the applicant society:

Provided that the elected management in office at the time of registration by conversion under the Act, shall be deemed to remain in office for the balance of the period of the term for which they have been elected under the law in force at that time.

(5) A Co-operative Credit Society registered under the Telangana Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies Act, 1995 may become a member of federal society registered under the Act. Similarly a Co-operative Credit Society registered under this Act may become a member of a federal society registered under the Telangana Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies Act, 1995.

(6) A Co-operative Credit Society may affiliate or disaffiliate with a federal society at its choice.

(7) A Co-operative Credit Society shall have the freedom of entry and exit at any tier and there shall be no mandatory restrictions of geographical boundaries for its operation.

(8) A Co-operative Credit Society may invest or deposit its funds in any financial institution regulated by Reserve Bank of India of its choice with a minimum net worth and any other criteria as may be prescribed by NABARD from time to time and not necessarily in the federal society to which it is affiliated.

(9) A Co-operative Credit Society may obtain loans from any financial institution regulated by Reserve Bank of India and refinance from NABARD or any other refinancing agency directly or through any RBI regulated financial institution of its choice and not necessarily from the federal society to which it is affiliated.

(10) The Registrar shall frame guidelines for payment of dividend by a PACS in consultation with NABARD.

(11) There shall be no compulsion in contribution to any fund other than Cooperative Education fund provided under this Act and those required for improving the net worth/ owned funds of a Cooperative Credit Society.

(12) (a) A number of managing committee representing a Co-operative Credit Society on the managing committee of APCOB/DCCB shall be disqualified by the Registrar in the event of such society committing a default for a period exceeding one year on intimation of such default by the Chief Executive of the bank concerned.

(b) A member of a managing committee representing a society other than PACS on the managing committee of APCOB/DCCB shall be disqualified by the Registrar in the event of such society committee a default for a period exceeding 90 (ninety) days on intimation of such default by the Chief Executive of the bank concerned.

(13) A defaulting member shall not be eligible to be elected to the managing committee of a Co-operative Credit Society and a defaulting office bearer of a PACS shall not continue on such managing committee for more than one year unless the default is cleared.

(14) The Registrar shall ensure that the regulatory prescriptions of the RBI in case of APCOB/DCCB including their winding up or supersession of their Managing Committee are implemented and the Liquidator/ Administrator(s), as the case may be, is appointed within one month of being so advised by RBI.

(15) (a) The supersession of the managing committee of APCOB/DCCB under section 34 of the Act shall be done only in consultation with the RBI.

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The Registrar may, by general or special order, appoint any person to exercise supervision over, and to assist in the working of any society or class of societies subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. The person so appointed shall exercise such powers as may be prescribed and shall at all reasonable times, have free access to the books, accounts, documents, securities, records, cash and other properties belonging to, or in the custody of, the society and may also call for such information, statements and returns as may be necessary for the purpose.

(1) Notwithstanding anything this Act, the Registrar shall have power to constitute a common cadre for the following posts, namely:- (a) Co-operative Banks;- (i) General Managers of Co-operative Central Banks and Deputy General Managers of Apex Bank; (ii) Deputy Managers of Co-operative Central Banks and Assistant General Managers of Andhra Pradesh State Co-operative Bank; (b) Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Dairy Development Federation:- (i) Executive Director, Director (operation Director (Planning and Development), Director (Civil Director (Finance and Accounts); (ii) General Manager, Joint Director, Chief Quality Control Officer, Research Officer, Chief Dairy Economist; (iii) Deputy Director, Cost Accounts Officer, Senior Accounts Officer, Senior Dairy Engineer, Executive Engineer (Civil), Plant Manager, Production Manager, Deputy Director (Stores), Deputy Director (Public Relations); (iv) Assistant Director, Accounts Officer, Personnel Manager, Manager Grade-I, Dairy Manager, Deputy Material Manager, Dairy Economist, Works Manager; (v) Manager Grade-II, Assistant Dairy Manager, Assistant Office Manager, Junior Engineers (Mechanical) (Civil) and (Electrical), Assistant Accounts Officer; (c) Spinning Mills:- (i) Managing Director, Mill Manager; (ii) Spinning Master; (iii) Deputy Spinning Master; (iv) Assistant Spinning Master; (v) Supervisor; (vi) Electrical Engineer; (vii) Electrical Supervisor; (viii) Chief Accounts Officer and Accountant. (d) Sugar Factories.- (i) Chief Engineer; (ii) Chief Chemist; (iii) Chief Agricultural Officer; (iv) Chief Accounts Officer; (v) Administrative Officer; (vi) Labour Welfare Officer. (2) The Classification and methods of recruitment, conditions of service, Pay and allowances and discipline and conduct of the officers specified in sub-section (1) shall be such as may be provided by regulations to be framed by the Registrar.

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The Government may give directions, to a society or class of societies or an appointment committee constituted under section 116-A to make provision,- (a) for the reservation of appointments or posts under any such society in any cadre created under the said section in favour of, or (b) for the grant of any special concessions in the matter of appointments to any such posts or cadre to, the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Backward Classes and the society or the appointment committee shall be bound to comply with such directions and to give effect to any provisions so made. Explanation.—For the purposes of the Explanation under clause (b) of the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 31 and this section,- (a) "Scheduled Castes" means castes, races or tribes or parts or groups within castes, races or tribes which are specified by the President of India by a public notification under clause (1) of Article 341 of the Constitution; (b) "Scheduled Tribes" means tribes or tribal communities or parts or groups within tribes or tribal communities which are specified by the President of India by a public notification under clause (1) of Article 342 of the Constitution; (c) "Backward Classes" means such groups of citizens which are classified by the Government as ‘socially and educationally backward classes of citizens’.

(1) A society shall have power to fix the staffing pattern, qualifications, pay scales and other allowances for its employees with the prior approval of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies subject to the condition that expenditure towards pay and allowances of the employees shall not exceed two percent of the working capital or thirty percent of the gross profit, in terms of actuals in a year whichever is less. (2) No appointment or removal of a Chief Executive by whatever name called of any society, or of societies as may be prescribed, which are in receipt of financial aid from the Government, shall be made without the prior approval of the Registrar of the Cooperative Societies.

(1) Where a new committee is elected, or a committee is nominated or a person is appointed by the Registrar under section 15A or an official assignee appointed under section 9C, or the committee is superseded by the Registrar and Administrator(s) is/are appointed under section 34, or where the society is ordered to be wound up and a liquidator is appointed under section 65, and such new Committee, Administrator(s), liquidator or official assignee is resisted in, or prevent from, obtaining possession of the books, accounts, documents, securities, cash and other properties, whether movable or immovable of the society (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘records and the properties of the society’) by the previous committee or superseded committee or by the society which has been ordered to be wound up or by a person who is not entitled to be in possession of the records and properties of the society, the Registrar shall on application by new committee, Administrator(s), Liquidator or Official Assignee if satisfied, authorise, in the prescribed form setting forth the reasons therefore, any officer subordinate to him, not below the rank of Senior Inspector of Co-operative Societies, to enter, search, or break open any premises where such records and properties of the society are kept and to seize any such records and properties of the society and to cause delivery to the new committee, Administrator(s), Liquidator or Official Assignee, of the records and properties of the society. (2) For the purpose of the proceedings under sub-section (1), the authorisation aforesaid shall be conclusive evidence that the records and properties to which it relates belong to the society. (3) The officer authorised under sub-section (1) may take such police assistance as may be necessary for the said purpose and the expenses incurred under this section shall be borne from the funds of the society. (4) The provisions of section 100 to 102 (both inclusive) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 relating to searches and seizure shall apply, so far as may be, to searches and seizure under this section.

(1) Every society shall have an address registered in accordance with the rules to which all notices and communications may be sent and shall send to the Registrar, notice of any change thereof within thirty days of the change. (2) It shall keep affixed a sign board describing the name of the society on the outside of every office or branch thereof.

(1) Every Society shall keep, a copy of this Act, the Rules and Bye-laws, books of Accounts and all records, documents and registers for access by its members, free of charge, at all reasonable times, at its office. Access shall be provided for every member to inspect such portions of the above said books, registers, documents and records as requested. (2) A society shall furnish to a member, on request in writing, and on payment of such fees as may be fixed, a copy of any of the documents mentioned in sub-section (1) or extract of the transactions relating to him with the society within thirty days from the date of payment of such fees.

(1) In exercising the powers conferred by or under this Act, the Tribunal, the Registrar or any person authorised by him in this behalf by general or special order, the arbitrator or any other person deciding a dispute, the liquidator of a society, and such other officers engaged in the relief of rural indebtedness or officers of Agricultural Development Banks as the Government may by notification in the Telangana Gazette empower in this behalf, shall have the power of a civil court while trying a suit, under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 in respect of the following matters, namely:- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath or affirmation; (b) compelling the production of any book, account, record or other document, cash, security or other property; (c) issuing a commission for the examination of any witness; (d) receiving evidence on an affidavit. (2) The Tribunal, the Registrar, the person, the arbitrator, the liquidator or the officer, as the case may be, referred to in sub-section (1), may require any person present before it or him to furnish any information or to produce any document forthwith in his possession or power and shall also have power to take, or to authorise the taking of, such copies of the document or of any entries therein as it or he may consider necessary. Copies so taken shall, when certified in such manner as may be prescribed, be admissible in evidence for any purpose in the same manner and to the same extent as the original document or the entries therein, as the case may be.

(1) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, all orders, refusals, decisions or awards passed or directions issued or actions taken in accordance with this Act or the Rules made thereunder shall be final subject to the provisions for appeal, revision and review and no such order, refusal, decision, award, direction or action taken shall be liable to be called in question in any Court or Forum. (2) While a society is being wound up, no suit or other legal proceeding relating to the business of such society shall be proceeded with, or instituted against, the liquidator as such or against the society or any member thereof on any matter touching the affairs of the society except by leave of the Registrar and subject to such terms and conditions as he may impose: Provided that where the order of winding up is cancelled, the provisions of this sub-section shall cease to apply in relation to the society and any member thereof, but shall continue to apply to the person who acted as liquidator.

Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the Government may, by special order and for reasons to be recorded therein in each case, and subject to such conditions, if any as they may impose, exempt any society, from any of the requirements of this Act as to registration.

The Government may by general or special order and for reasons to be recorded therein, exempt any society or any class of societies from any of the provision of this Act.

Any register or list of members or shares kept by any society shall be prima facie evidence of any of the following particulars entered therein— (a) the date on which the name of any person was entered in such register or list as a member; (b) the date on which any such person ceased to be a member.

(1) A copy of any entry in a book of a society regularly kept in the course of its business, shall, if certified in such manner as may be prescribed, be received in any suit or legal proceedings as prima facie evidence, of such entry and shall be admitted as evidence of the matters, transactions and accounts therein recorded in the same manner and to the same extent as the original entry itself is admissible. (2) A society may grant copies of any document obtained and kept by it in the course of its business, or of any entries in such document; and any copy so granted shall, when certified in such manner as may be prescribed, be admissible in evidence for any purpose in the same manner and to the same extent as the original document, or the entries therein, as the case may be. (3) No officer of a society and no officer in whose office the books of a society are deposited after liquidation shall in any legal proceedings to which the society or the liquidator is not a party, be compelled to produce any of the society's books or documents the contents of which can be proved under this section, or to appear as a witness to prove the matters, transactions and accounts therein recorded, except under order of the court, or the arbitrator made for special cause.

No suit shall be instituted against a society or any of its officers in respect of any act touching the constitution, management or the business of the society until the expiration of sixty days next after notice in writing has been delivered to the Registrar, or left at his office, stating the cause of action, the name, description and place of residence of the plaintiff and the relief which he claims and the plaint shall contain a statement that such notice has been so delivered or left.

No act of society or any committee or of any officer of the Acts of society shall be deemed to be invalid by reason only of the existence of any defect in the organisation of the society or in the formation of the invalidated general body or the constitution of the committee or in the appointment again or election of an officer or on the ground that such officer was disqualified for his office.

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Registrar or any person subordinate to him or acting on his authority or any nominee of the Government for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of any provision of this Act or of any rule or bye-law made thereunder.

The provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, Telangana shops and Establishment Act, 1988, shall not apply to societies.

The Registrar or any person authorised by him to recover any amount or to execute any orders issued or decisions taken under any of the provisions of this Act and every officer and employee of a society shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

(1) The Government may, by notification published in the Telangana Gazette, make rules for carrying out all or any of the purposes of this Act for the whole or any part of the State and for any class of societies. (2) Every rule made under this section shall immediately after it is made, be laid before each House of the State Legislature if it is in session and if it is not in session, in the session immediately following for a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions, and if, before the expiration of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, both Houses agree, in making any modification in the rule or in the annulment of the rule, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or shall stand annulled, as the case may be; so however that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

(1) The Government may generally or in any particular matter under this Act, issue such orders and directions, which are in accordance with the provisions of this Act and in the interest of co-operative movement in the State as they may consider necessary to the Registrar and thereupon he shall give effect to such orders or directions and shall report to the Government in due course the result thereof. (2) In any case, in which a direction has been given under sub-section (1), the Government may call for and examine the record of the proceedings of the Registrar and pass such orders in the case as they may think fit: Provided that before passing any order under this sub-section, the person likely to be affected by such order shall be given an opportunity of making his representation.

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The following Acts, namely:— (1) the Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Area) Co-operative Societies Act, 1932, (2) the Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Area) Co-operative Land Mortgage Banks Act, 1934, (3) the Andhra Pradesh (Telangana Area) Co-operative Societies Act, 1952, are hereby repealed: Provided that any society existing at the commencement of this Act which has been registered or deemed to have been registered under the relevant repealed Act shall be deemed to have been registered under this Act; and the bye-laws of such society shall, so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, continue to be in force until altered or rescinded in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder: Provided further that section 8 of the Telangana General Clauses Act, 1891 shall be applicable in respect of the repeal of the said enactments and sections 8 and 18 of the said Act shall be applicable as if the said enactments had been repealed and re-enacted by a Telangana Act.

The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law.

If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may, after previous publication, by order, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the purposes of this Act, as appear to them to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty.

(1)(a) The General Body of a society shall constitute a committee in accordance with the bye-laws and entrust the management of the affairs of the society to such committee: Provided that in case of a newly registered society, the applicants who signed the application for registration under section 6 of this Act shall conduct the affairs of the society for a period of 90 days from the date of registration of the society. The applicants shall initiate the process of constitution of committee within 30 days of registration of the society: Provided further that, if the applicants who got the society registered fail to constitute a committee to manage the affairs of the society within 90 days from the date of registration of the society, the Registrar shall take steps to constitute a committee to manage the affairs of the society or may choose to cancel the registration of the society as deemed fit: Provided further that if no committee is constituted under this section to manage the affairs of the society within 180 days from the date of the registration of the society, the certificate of Registration issued under section 8 is deemed to have been cancelled: Provided further that where the bye-laws so provide, the Government or the Registrar may nominate all or any of the members of the first promoters Committee for such period as may be specified or till the first elected Committee assumes office, whichever is earlier. (b) The Board / Committee shall consist of such number of Directors as may be prescribed: Provided that the maximum number of Directors of a Co-operative society shall not exceed twenty-one: Provided further that one seat for the Scheduled Caste or the Scheduled Tribe and two seats for women shall be reserved on Board of every Co-operative society consisting of individuals as members and having members from such class or category of persons subject to that in the case of a Primary Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society, a Farmers Service Co-operative Society, a Co-operative farming Society, a Co-operative Central Bank and a District Co-operative marketing society, not more than one-half of the total number of seats to be filled by elected members of the Committee thereof shall be reserved to be filled by members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and Women in such proportion as may be prescribed: Provided further that the Board may fill up a casual vacancy / shortfall of the Board by nomination out of the same class of members in respect of which the casual vacancy / shortfall has arisen, if the term of office of the Board is less than half of its original term: Provided further that no member who has lost in the current election shall be eligible for filling up the casual vacancy that has arisen during the current term of the Board. (c) [xxx] (d) [xxx] (e) In addition to the number specified as per section 31(1)(b), the elected members of Committee may co-opt, not exceeding two persons as members of the Committee, out of which one shall have experience in the field of banking or management or finance and the other shall have specialization in any other field relating to the objects and activities undertaken by the society: Provided that such co-opted members shall not have the right to vote in any election of the co-operative society in their capacity as such member or to be eligible to be elected as office bearers of the Committee: Provided further that Functional Directors of a Co-operative society as may be prescribed shall also be the members of the Committee and such members shall be excluded for the purpose of counting the total number of the Directors specified in section 31(1)(b). (1-A) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or in the bye-laws of the societies referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1), the Government may, for the purpose of effective implementation of the reservation specified in clause (b), by rules made in this behalf, provide for the constitution of, and election to, the committiees of such societies and all other matter relating thereto; including the division of constituencies, allocation of seats and the choice of persons belonging to weaker sections of the society as members of the committee of any central society from amongst the members of the committees of the societies affiliated to such central society, by the members of the central society in cases where no such person is a member of the general body of such central society. (2)(a) The term of office of the Committee and its Office Bearers including President are elected in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (5) shall be five years from the date of election of the members of the committee. The term of the office bearers shall be coterminous with the term of Board. (b) [xxx] (c) [xxx] (3)(a) In the case of the committee of Cooperative Central Bank a District Marketing Society, a District Cooperative Wholesale Store, a Centrally sponsored consumer cooperative Stores, an apex society and a society formed for a sugar factory or for a spinning mill, such officer of the cooperative department, not below the rank of a Deputy Registrar, as may be authorised by the State Cooperative Election Authority in this behalf shall be the election officer and the election of the members of the committee shall be in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Cooperative Election Authority. (b) In any other case, the election officer and the manner of election of the members of the committee shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Cooperative Election Authority: Provided that where a requisition signed by not less than one-fifth of the total number of members is received by the Registrar to appoint an election officer to conduct an election, the Registrar shall appoint the election officer to conduct the election. (4)(a) For the purpose of electing members to its committee, a society may provide in its bye-laws, for the division of the area of operation of a society into territorial constituencies, or of the membership of the society into electoral groups on any other basis, for the number or proportion of members who may be elected to represent each such territorial constituency or electoral group on the committee, and for the manner of election of such representatives. (b) In the absence of such bye-laws, the society may elect members to its committee from among all the members of the society. (5) In the case of such classes of Co-operative Societies as may be prescribed the president shall subject to the provisions of section 21-A, be elected by the members of the committee from among themselves in the manner prescribed.

(1) The Board may, on the application of an [Agricultural Development Bank] and under circumstances in which the power of sale conferred by section 104 may be exercised, appoint in writing a receiver of the produce and income of the mortgaged property or any part thereof and such receiver shall be entitled either to take possession of the property or collect its produce and income, as the case may be to retain out of any money realised by him, his expenses of management including his remuneration, if any, as fixed by the Board and to apply the balance in accordance with provisions of sub-section (8) of section 69-A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. (2) The Board may for sufficient cause, remove such receiver on an application made by the mortgagor and fill a vacancy in the office of the receiver. (3) Nothing in this section shall empower the Board to appoint a receiver where the mortgaged property is already in the possession of a receiver appointed by a competent court.

(1) The Board may, on the application of an [Agricultural Development Bank] and under circumstances in which the power of sale conferred by section 104 may be exercised, appoint in writing a receiver of the produce and income of the mortgaged property or any part thereof and such receiver shall be entitled either to take possession of the property or collect its produce and income, as the case may be to retain out of any money realised by him, his expenses of management including his remuneration, if any, as fixed by the Board and to apply the balance in accordance with provisions of sub-section (8) of section 69-A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. (2) The Board may for sufficient cause, remove such receiver on an application made by the mortgagor and fill a vacancy in the office of the receiver. (3) Nothing in this section shall empower the Board to appoint a receiver where the mortgaged property is already in the possession of a receiver appointed by a competent court.

(1) The Board may, on the application of an [Agricultural Development Bank] and under circumstances in which the power of sale conferred by section 104 may be exercised, appoint in writing a receiver of the produce and income of the mortgaged property or any part thereof and such receiver shall be entitled either to take possession of the property or collect its produce and income, as the case may be to retain out of any money realised by him, his expenses of management including his remuneration, if any, as fixed by the Board and to apply the balance in accordance with provisions of sub-section (8) of section 69-A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. (2) The Board may for sufficient cause, remove such receiver on an application made by the mortgagor and fill a vacancy in the office of the receiver. (3) Nothing in this section shall empower the Board to appoint a receiver where the mortgaged property is already in the possession of a receiver appointed by a competent court.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in the Indian Registration Act, 1908, it shall not be necessary for any officer of on [Agricultural Development Bank] or of the [Central Agricultural Development Bank] to appear in person or by agent at any registration office in any proceedings connected with the registration of any instrument executed by him in his official capacity or to sign as provided in section 58 of that Act. (2) Where any instrument is so executed, the registering officer to whom such instrument is presented for registration, may, if he thinks fit, refer to such officer for information in regard there to, and on being satisfied of the execution thereof, shall register the instrument. (3) Notwithstanding anything in the Indian Registration Act, 1908, it shall not be necessary to register mortgages executed in favour of an [Agricultural Development Bank] or of the [Central Agricultural Development Bank], where the bank concerned sends, within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, a copy of the instrument requiring registration to the registering officer having jurisdiction, who shall file such copy in the book maintained under section 51 of that Act.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in the Indian Registration Act, 1908, it shall not be necessary for any officer of on [Agricultural Development Bank] or of the [Central Agricultural Development Bank] to appear in person or by agent at any registration office in any proceedings connected with the registration of any instrument executed by him in his official capacity or to sign as provided in section 58 of that Act. (2) Where any instrument is so executed, the registering officer to whom such instrument is presented for registration, may, if he thinks fit, refer to such officer for information in regard there to, and on being satisfied of the execution thereof, shall register the instrument. (3) Notwithstanding anything in the Indian Registration Act, 1908, it shall not be necessary to register mortgages executed in favour of an [Agricultural Development Bank] or of the [Central Agricultural Development Bank], where the bank concerned sends, within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, a copy of the instrument requiring registration to the registering officer having jurisdiction, who shall file such copy in the book maintained under section 51 of that Act.

(1) Notwithstanding anything in the Indian Registration Act, 1908, it shall not be necessary for any officer of on [Agricultural Development Bank] or of the [Central Agricultural Development Bank] to appear in person or by agent at any registration office in any proceedings connected with the registration of any instrument executed by him in his official capacity or to sign as provided in section 58 of that Act. (2) Where any instrument is so executed, the registering officer to whom such instrument is presented for registration, may, if he thinks fit, refer to such officer for information in regard there to, and on being satisfied of the execution thereof, shall register the instrument. (3) Notwithstanding anything in the Indian Registration Act, 1908, it shall not be necessary to register mortgages executed in favour of an [Agricultural Development Bank] or of the [Central Agricultural Development Bank], where the bank concerned sends, within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, a copy of the instrument requiring registration to the registering officer having jurisdiction, who shall file such copy in the book maintained under section 51 of that Act.

(1) A mortgage created in favour of an [Agricultural Development Bank] either before or after commencement of this Act, by the of manager of a joint Hindu family, shall notwithstanding any law to the contrary, be binding on the members thereof, whether majors or minors, if the loan secured by the mortgage was granted for the purchase of any land or the improvement of any agricultural land or for the improved cultivation of such land. (2) Where such mortgage is called in question on the ground that it was created by the manager of a joint Hindu family, for a purpose not binding on the members thereof, whether majors or minors, the burden of proving the same shall, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, be on the party raising it.

(1) A mortgage created in favour of an [Agricultural Development Bank] either before or after commencement of this Act, by the of manager of a joint Hindu family, shall notwithstanding any law to the contrary, be binding on the members thereof, whether majors or minors, if the loan secured by the mortgage was granted for the purchase of any land or the improvement of any agricultural land or for the improved cultivation of such land. (2) Where such mortgage is called in question on the ground that it was created by the manager of a joint Hindu family, for a purpose not binding on the members thereof, whether majors or minors, the burden of proving the same shall, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, be on the party raising it.