At long last, the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies has allowed the Multi State Cooperative Banks and Societies to conduct their elections in the conventional way till 31.12.2020.
There are many Urban Cooperative Banks including AP Mahesh Urban Cooperative Bank and multi state co-operative societies where elections are due. There are 51 Multi State Scheduled Banks in India.
The apex co-op body in the country NCUI has also decided to hold elections on 23rd November. The GC met on September 16th and decided for the same, confirms the CE of NCUI N Satyanarayan.
Since the AGM date was extended till December 31st by the Central Registrar, there was a section of the NCUI leadership that wanted to hold elections and AGM on 27-28 December. But Rupala is believed to have prevailed on the duo to hold the elections as soon as possible. Accordingly, incumbent President Chandra Pal mooted the idea of holding elections on 23rd November, to which all GC members agreed.
A notification released recently from the office of the Central Registrar reads, “This authority has received various references/ requests by Multi-state cooperative societies (including banks) regarding their inability to conduct elections on time”.
“The problem arises out of the recent pandemic, Covid-19, due to which elections could not be conducted on time and thus the banks have sought extension of timeline in conducting the elections”, it further reads.
The letter signed by Alok Agarwal, Director (Cooperation) reads that, “ln view of the extraordinary situation created by Covid-19 and keeping in view the necessity of conducting erections as a management requirement, it has been decided that Multi-State cooperative societies (including banks) be allowed to conduct their elections in the conventional way till 31.12.2020 or earlier depending upon the situation”, according to the letter.
Reacting to the notification, talking to Indian Cooperative Cooperators said though there is a sign of relief for cooperatives where the elections are due but day by day the corona cases are increasing steadily, so it might be difficult for co-ops to conduct the elections and risk the life of members.