Prohibition of the use of the word ‘co-operative’ or its equivalent

(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.