In a development that has surprised many cooperative sector observers, the government has appointed an Administrator in the apex cooperative body, the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), amid delays in the conduct of elections. The term of the existing board ended on 22 November 2025.
In an official communication, it was conveyed that, in view of the prevailing facts and circumstances and with a view to ensuring the free and fair conduct of elections to the board of directors and office-bearers, as well as the orderly functioning of the institution, the Central Government has appointed Siddharth Jain, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation, as Administrator under Section 123(1) of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002.
The appointment takes immediate effect and is for a period not exceeding six months. During this tenure, the Administrator will oversee the affairs of the society and facilitate the conduct of elections in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Rules framed thereunder.
Siddharth Jain is a senior civil servant with wide administrative experience. He has served as District Collector in Khammam, West Godavari and Chittoor, and has held key positions including Commissioner of Industries, Director of Ports, Commissioner (Registration and Stamps), and Commissioner of Civil Supplies. He is known for his strong administrative and policy expertise, particularly in governance and cooperative sector development.
The provisions of Section 123 of the amended Multi-State Co-operative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002 clearly stipulate that a board cannot continue once its term has ended if a new board has not been elected, making the appointment of an Administrator mandatory in such circumstances. Further, Section 45 of the MSCS Act, 2002 does not provide for any extension or continuation of the board of a multi-state cooperative society beyond its prescribed term.
Accordingly, the Governing Council (GC) of NCUI can be superseded and an Administrator appointed to manage the affairs of the organisation, including extending necessary assistance to the Cooperative Election Authority for the conduct of elections to the next GC of NCUI.
NCUI was unable to elect a new board within the stipulated timeframe due to delays in the revision of its bye-laws and the subsequent clearance from the office of the Central Registrar.
In addition, Sahakar Bharati had raised objections to certain provisions in the proposed amendments and sought ministerial intervention, citing concerns over the preservation of NCUI’s democratic ethos.
Confirming the appointment of the Administrator, outgoing Chairman Dileep Sanghani said from Kutch, Gujarat on Monday that he would be travelling to Delhi shortly and would seek a meeting with Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. “I will request him to ensure that the NCUI elections are held as soon as possible,” Sanghani told this correspondent over the phone.
Apart from the statutory provisions of the amended MSCS Act, insiders have also pointed to the role of Sahakar Bharati amid the rapidly evolving developments at NCUI. Sources indicated that Sahakar Bharati had appealed to the Ministry to appoint an Administrator following the completion of the Governing Council’s term.
