The State Government on Tuesday tabled the Odisha Self-Help Cooperative (Repeal) Ordinance, 2013 in the Assembly amid Opposition uproar.
The State Government promulgated the ordinance on June 6 to repeal the Odisha Self-Help Cooperative Act, 2001 in order to bring all cooperative societies under the Odisha Cooperative Act, 1962 which had been amended in conformity with the 97th amendment to the Constitution.
In the Amendment Act under Section 17, a time period of six months was provided, within which election to all co-operative societies should be held from the date of commencement of the Amendment Act. The Odisha Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2012 came into force with effect from January 30, 2013 and six-month time expired on July 31.
The Bill for amendment to the Odisha Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2012 has sought to extend the time period for holding elections to the Co-operative Societies by another 12 months. The State Cabinet recently gave its approval to the proposal of the Cooperation department for time extension for holding elections to the cooperative societies.
Election to the Cooperative Societies was deferred by another year to give more time to the societies to amend their bye-laws in consultation with the State Cooperatives Election Commission.
Tabling the repeal ordinance in the Assembly, Cooperation Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha said on such repeal, investigation, proceeding or remedy in relation to any right, privilege, obligation, liability, claim or demand, penalty, forfeiture or punishment pending under the repealed Act will continue.
Every cooperative existing before the commencement of the the ordinance will be deemed to be registered under the corresponding provisions of the Odisha Cooperative Societies Act, 1962. The bye-laws or the Article of Association should be amended in accordance with the Act and the Board of Directors be reconstituted. After the repeal of the Self-help Cooperative Law, 1,634 self-help cooperative societies operating in the State, which were not under the administrative control of the Registrar, Cooperative Societies, will be governed by the Odisha Cooperative Societies Act, 1962.
With repeal of the Act, no more new Cooperative Societies could be registered under it.