In its report on Demand for Grants pertaining to the Ministry of Cooperation, the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing recommended the Ministry of Cooperation to examine whether the Cooperative Societies in States/UTs can be brought under the ambit of RTI Act, as in the case of Multi-state Cooperative Societies.
“The Committee notes that the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies and Registrars of Cooperative Societies in the States and Union territories are responsible for administration and regulation of Cooperative Societies in the country”, the report reads.
It further added, “There are more than 8.54 Lakh Registered Cooperative Societies including 95,000 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies. The Committee observed that the element of fairness and transparency is reportedly lacking in the functioning of Cooperative Societies under the Central/State/UTs due to various factors including vested interests of certain Members”.
With a view to bringing transparency in the functioning of Cooperative Societies under the administrative control of the States/UTs, the Committee recommends the Ministry to examine whether the Cooperative Societies in States/UTs can be brought under the ambit of RTI Act, as in the case of Multi-state Cooperative Societies.
The Committee also urges the Ministry to take adequate remedial measures to address the issues plaguing State Cooperative Societies, the report prepared by 31 members from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha says.