Vote of members

Every member of a multi-State co-operative society, including a member who is an employee of such society, shall have one vote in the affairs of the society: Provided that— (a) a member who is an employee of such society shall not be entitled to vote— (i) at the election of a member of the board of such society; (ii) in any general meeting convened for framing the bye-laws of such society or any amendments thereto; (b) in the case of an equality of votes, the chairperson shall have a casting vote; (c) where any of the authorities, multi-State co-operative society or a co-operative society referred to in clauses (b) to (g) of sub-section (1) of section 25 is a member of a multi-State co-operative society, each person nominated by such authority or society, on the board in accordance with the provisions contained in this Act and the rules, shall, have one vote; (d) a multi-State co-operative society, the membership of which include co-operative societies or other multi-State co-operative societies, may provide in its bye-laws for an equitable system of voting having regard to the membership of, and the extent of business carried on, by such co-operative societies or multi-State co-operative societies. Provided that where such Chairperson or President fails to direct the Chief Executive to convene the meeting of the board within the quarter, such Chief Executive shall convene the meeting on the basis of requisition of the Vice-Chairperson or Vice-President or any other Member of the board: Provided further that notwithstanding anything contained in the first proviso, the Chief Executive may also convene the meeting on the basis of requisition from at least fifty per cent. of Members of the board; (2) The total number of meetings of the board in a year and the venue of meetings as may be specified in the bye-laws: Provided that the board shall meet at least once in every quarter: Provided further that not more than two persons may be invited by the board in its meetings. (3) The Chairperson or President, if for any reason, is unable to attend a meeting of the board, the Vice-Chairperson or Vice-President and in the absence of both, any other Member of the board chosen by the Members of the board present from amongst themselves at the meeting, shall preside over the meeting. (4) The quorum for a meeting of the board of directors of a multi-State co-operative society shall be one-third of its total number of elected directors.