Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has won an appeal against an order of the Co-operative Ombudsman directing the fertiliser cooperative to provide a member with documents relating to its 37th, 38th and 39th Annual General Meetings (AGMs).
The Appellate Authority and Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies, exercising powers under Section 85A(3) of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, allowed IFFCO’s appeal on September 9, 2026, and set aside the Ombudsman’s order dated June 12, 2026.
The matter originated from an application submitted by an IFFCO member on January 30, 2026, seeking copies of notices, agendas and minutes of the 37th, 38th and 39th AGMs, besides attendance sheets of delegates from Maharashtra.
IFFCO’s Co-operative Information Officer rejected the request on February 20, 2026, stating that the information sought did not fall within the disclosure norms specified under Bye-law 54B of IFFCO.
The member subsequently approached the Co-operative Ombudsman, who directed IFFCO to provide the requested information within 30 days. IFFCO challenged the order before the Appellate Authority.
In its order, the Appellate Authority held that Section 106(1) of the MSCS Act requires a multi-State cooperative society to provide members with information relating to its affairs and management, but such disclosure is restricted to the categories specified in the society’s registered bye-laws.
The Authority noted that IFFCO’s Bye-law 54B covers membership-related information, audited accounts and annual reports, information regarding marketing offices and plant locations, and copies of the society’s bye-laws. The AGM notices, agendas, minutes and attendance sheets sought by the member do not fall within these specified categories.
The Authority further clarified that Bye-law 54C does not expand the scope of information covered under Bye-law 54B but imposes additional restrictions on information otherwise covered by the disclosure provisions.
However, the Authority clarified that the member still has statutory rights under Sections 113 and 108 of the Act. Section 113 allows members to inspect books containing minutes of general meetings during business hours, while Section 108 provides for taking extracts or copies of documents as permitted under the Act.
Accordingly, the member may approach IFFCO under these provisions for inspection and copies. The Authority directed IFFCO to facilitate such inspection and provide copies in accordance with the Act.
The appeal was thus allowed and the Ombudsman’s order set aside.
