The Maharashtra Cooperative Department has taken a significant step towards enhancing the regulatory framework for credit societies and salaried cooperative credit societies operating under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act.
In pursuit of this objective, a seven-member committee has been constituted, with Krishna Wadekar, Additional Registrar, leading the initiative as the Chairman.
The committee comprises a diverse set of members, each bringing expertise from different facets of the cooperative landscape. Sopan Shinde, District Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies from Ratnagiri, Sadananda Oike, Special Auditor (Class-I) specializing in Co-operative Societies based in Pune, and Ganesh Nimkar, a Cooperation Expert, contribute their knowledge to the committee. Furthermore, Omprakash alias Kakasaheb Koyte, the Chairman of Maharashtra State Cooperative Patsanstha Federation, Jijaba Pawar, Chairman of Dnyandeep Credit Cooperative Society, and Harshit Taware, Assistant Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Daund, complete the panel.
Milind Soble, Deputy Registrar (Credit Institutions) for Co-operative Societies in Pune, has been appointed as the member secretary, entrusted with coordinating the committee’s efforts.
Jijaba Pawar, a committee member and the head of Maharashtra’s largest credit cooperative, shared insights into the committee’s mission. He explained that the committee’s primary responsibility is to prepare a draft document for the revision of model bye-laws governing credit societies in the state. These bye-laws play a crucial role in regulating the functioning and conduct of these cooperative entities.
Pawar revealed that the State Cooperative Department has set a timeline for the committee, requiring them to submit their comprehensive report within two months. The committee is committed to a consultative approach, seeking input from representatives of credit cooperatives during the process.
Pawar emphasized the importance of incorporating the perspectives of stakeholders in the cooperative sector, recognizing the diversity of credit cooperatives across Maharashtra.
Highlighting the scale of the cooperative movement in the state, Pawar noted that Maharashtra boasts approximately 16,000 credit cooperatives, with 2,000 of them situated in Mumbai.
As the head of the largest credit cooperative in Maharashtra, Pawar brings valuable practical experience to the committee, ensuring that the proposed revisions align with the needs and challenges faced by credit societies on the ground.
In essence, the committee’s efforts signify a proactive approach by the Maharashtra Cooperative Department to strengthen the regulatory framework, foster financial stability, and promote the overall growth of credit societies in the state. Through collaboration and consultation, the committee aims to develop model bye-laws that reflect the evolving dynamics of the cooperative sector and facilitate its sustainable development.