The Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS) has initiated the process for conducting long-pending elections in Shirpur Shetkari Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., a multi-state cooperative sugar factory in Maharashtra, by directing the state’s Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) to appoint a senior officer to convene a Special General Body Meeting (AGM).
The move follows directions of the Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad Bench and a recommendation from the Cooperative Election Authority (CEA).
Since the society has no existing Board of Directors, the CRCS invoked provisions of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, empowering it to authorize an officer to facilitate the election process.
The designated officer, of Deputy Registrar rank or above, will oversee amendment of the society’s bye-laws in line with the MSCS (Amendment) Act, 2023, prepare the electoral roll, and submit a detailed report to the CEA within 60 days.
Once these formalities are completed, the CEA will issue the election schedule. The same officer will also serve as Assistant Returning Officer to assist the District Collector, who will function as the Returning Officer during the election.
The society, with around 17,000 members, has remained without an elected board since 2021, delaying its governance and statutory functioning.
