In a significant development, the Cooperative Ombudsman has directed Unique Swayam Multi State Multi Purpose Cooperative Society Ltd., Ahmedabad, to refund the matured deposit amount of an investor along with up-to-date interest within 30 days. This directive underscores the Ombudsman’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of depositors and ensuring compliance with cooperative principles.
The order was issued in response to a complaint filed by Chandulal Mohanlal Ravariya, who had invested Rs 6.6 lakh in a fixed deposit with the society on August 12, 2015, under the MCS Plan. The deposit was for a period of six years and matured on August 12, 2021, with a total amount due of Rs 10.15 lakh. Despite several representations to the society, including his latest application dated June 24, 2025, Ravariya did not receive any refund or response.
Upon receiving the complaint on August 5, 2025, the office of the Cooperative Ombudsman issued notices to the society on August 27 and September 23, 2025, seeking its reply. However, the society failed to respond to any of the notices. The Ombudsman observed that the society had not only ignored the complainant’s repeated requests but had also remained unresponsive to the office’s communications. This non-compliance indicated a pattern of failure to function according to cooperative principles.
In his ruling, Cooperative Ombudsman Alok Agarwal directed the society to pay the complainant his due amount along with up-to-date interest within 30 days from the date of the order. The society was also instructed to settle all other pending and future claims from members within 30 days of their receipt and to submit a compliance report thereafter.
This case highlights the importance of cooperative societies adhering to their obligations and the role of the Cooperative Ombudsman in ensuring accountability. The Ombudsman’s intervention serves as a reminder to all cooperative societies to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to their members.
The Ombudsman’s office, established under Section 85A of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, is fully functional and deals with complaints or appeals from members of MSCS regarding their deposits, equitable benefits, or any other issue affecting the individual rights of the concerned member. The Ombudsman is mandated to complete the process of inquiry and adjudicate within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the complaint, as per the provisions of the MSCS Act.
The directive to Unique Swayam Multi State Multi Purpose Cooperative Society Ltd. serves as a precedent for other cooperative societies to ensure timely and fair settlement of member claims, reinforcing the trust and integrity essential for the cooperative movement.
