The Supreme Court on Tuesday criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for retaining a “colonial-era mindset” in the functioning of cooperative bodies, reports the Lawtrend.
The Bench said the state’s control over cooperatives undermines democratic principles and genuine member participation. Noting that cooperatives must be run by those they serve, the Court directed the UP government to initiate democratic reforms within two months.
It stressed that cooperatives cannot function as extensions of the state and must uphold transparency, autonomy, and accountability to protect people’s rights and ensure fair governance.
