(a) whether the Government has received any proposal for amending the Multi State
Cooperative Societies Act, 2002;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether the Government has assessed the impact of the proposed amendment on the
autonomy of cooperatives; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 295 DUE FOR REPLY ON 19TH MARCH, 2007.
(a) to (d): Yes, Sir. Proposals have been received for amending the Multi-State Co-
operative Societies Act, 2002. The proposals received, mainly pertain to removal of restrictions
on holding of office of a Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson by a Minister in the Central or a State
Government and restriction on holding of such office by a Board member for not more than two
consecutive terms. Further, it has also been requested to remove the restriction on holding the
office of a Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson in more than two multi-State co-operative societies.
The Government of India has appointed a Committee to study and make recommendations
regarding the amendment to be made in the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002. The
Committee is yet to submit its Report.