The Bihar-based Biscomaun election, long entangled in controversy, has now entered a new phase. The Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) has announced fresh dates for the election of office bearers, now scheduled for May 9, 2025.
The CEA has clarified that there cannot be a nominee director from the Government of Jharkhand on the Biscomaun board in the absence of equity shareholding. Consequently, the presence of any nominee from the Jharkhand government has been ruled out. Accordingly, a total of 20 directors—comprising 17 elected directors and 3 nominated by the Government of Bihar—will be eligible to participate and vote in the upcoming election.
The CEA order reads, “According to Notification No. 3066 issued by the Government of Bihar on April 3, 2025, Biscomaun’s total paid-up capital is 99.26% fully funded by the Government of Bihar, while the remaining 0.74% is held by member cooperative societies.
Crucially, the Government of Jharkhand holds no equity stake in Biscomaun, disqualifying it from nominating any directors under the provisions of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002.
Earlier, the CEA had directed the Returning Officer (RO) to seek comments from the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) in the Government of Jharkhand regarding their stake in Biscomaun. However, despite clear instructions and a 7-day deadline, the RCS failed to respond. In a subsequent communication dated May 3, 2025, the RO agreed with Bihar’s stance on the lack of Jharkhand’s shareholding and, by extension, its inability to nominate a director to the board.
Additionally, an earlier request from the RCS, dated February 6, 2025, seeking a seat for Jharkhand on the Board of Directors under Bye-law 27(VI), was also deemed invalid by the CEA due to the lack of any financial stake in Biscomaun.
In its final communication, the CEA emphasized, “In the absence of equity shareholding, the Government of Jharkhand cannot have a nominee director on the Board of Biscomaun. The provisions of Section 48(1)(a) of the MSCS Act do not apply in this case.”
The CEA’s ruling is expected to have significant implications for inter-state cooperative governance and representation within Biscomaun. The decision not only provides clarity on jurisdictional shareholding rights but also reinforces the importance of maintaining legal and procedural rigor in cooperative elections.
Given the current situation, it appears difficult for outgoing Chairman Sunil Kumar Singh to ensure the election of his preferred candidates for the posts of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Although he earlier enjoyed a majority, it is said that some of his supporters have distanced themselves, putting him in a tight spot.
With the final Election Programme now in place, the elections for Biscomaun’s Office Bearers will proceed on May 8 and 9, 2025, with 20 eligible directors participating, as confirmed by the CEA.