1ACT No. LII OF 1976
[19th July, 1976]
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the formation, working and promotion of co‑operative farming and setting up of allied agro‑based industries on the basis of self‑help and mutual aid amongst the farmers and matters ancillary thereto or connected therewith;
AND WHEREAS the Provincial Assemblies of the Provinces of Baluchistan, the North‑West Frontier, the Punjab and Sind have passed resolutions under clause (1) of Article 144 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the effect that Parliament may, by law, regulate the formation, working and promotion of co‑operative farming and setting up of allied agro‑based industries on the basis of self‑help and mutual aid amongst the farmers;
It is hereby enacted as follows:—
CHAPTER 1
PRELIMINARY
- Shot title, extent and commencement.___(1) This Act may be called the Co‑operative Farming Act, 1976.
(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.
(3) It shall come into force at once.
- Act to override other laws.The provisions of this Act and the rules shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Co‑operative Societies Act, 1925 (Act VII of 1925), or in any other law for the time being in force relating to the rights of landlords and tenants.
- Definitions.In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,‑–
(a) ’agricultural year’ has the same meaning as in the West Pakistan Land Revenue Act, 1967 (W. P. Act No. XVII of 1967);
(b) bye‑laws’ means bye‑laws registered under this Act;
(c) ‘committee’ means the managing committee of a society;
(d) ’co‑operative farm’ means the total land pooled by the members of a society;
(e) ’District Co‑operative Council’ means a District Co‑operative Council formed under section 39;
1For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gaz., of P., 1976, Ext., Pt., III, p. 577.
(f) ”District Co‑operative Federation” means a District Co‑operative Federation of Co‑operative Farming Societies formed under section 35;
(g) ”member” means a member of a society;
(h) ”National Co‑operative Council” means the National Co‑operative Council constituted under section 43;
(i) ”nation building department” means the departments which the Provincial Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, designate as such for the purposes of this Act;
(j) ”net profits” means net profits as defined in subsection (3) of section b7‑C of the Companies Act, 1913 (VII of 1913);
(k) ”office‑bearers” means the Chairman, Vice‑Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of a Committee;
(l) ”prescribed” means prescribed by rules;
(m) ”produce index units” means the measures in terms of which (be comparative productivity of an area of land of a particular kind in a particular assessment circle or area is computed and expressed for the purposes of the schemes relating to the re‑settlement of displaced persons on land and, in respect of any assessment circle or area where no such units have been deter mined, such measures as may be prescribed;.
(n) ”produce income” means the total income derived from all earnings of the co‑operative farm before deducting any expenses;
(o) “Provincial Co‑operative Council” means a Provincial Co‑operative Council formed under section 41;
(p) ”Provincial Co‑operative Federal means a Provincial Cooperative Federation of Co‑operative arming Societies formed under section 37;
(q) ”Registrar” means a person appointed to perform the duties of Registrar of Cc‑operative Societies under the Co‑operative Societies Act, 1925 (Act VII of 1925), and includes an officer authorised by Government to perform the duties of Registrar under this Act;
(r) ”rules” means rules made under this Act;
(s) ”society” means a co‑operative farming society registered under this Act;
(t) ”tenant” means tenant as defined in the Punjab Tenancy Act, 1887 (Punjab Act No. XVI of 1887); and
(u) ”value in relation to land, means the value as evaluated under section 13.
CHAPTER II
REGISTRATION OF SOCIETIES
- Conditions of registration.___(1) A co‑operative farming society which fulfils the following conditions may apply to the Registrar for registration under this Act, namely
(a) it consists of not less than twenty members;
(b) the total land pooled by its members is,—
(i) in the case of the Provinces of Baluchistan, the Punjab and Sind, not less than five hundred acres; and
(ii) in case of the North‑West Frontier Province, not less than three hundred acres; and
(c) the land pooled by its members forms one contiguous farm.
(2) An application under sub-section (1) shall be made in such form, and be accompanied by such documents, as may be prescribed.
- Procedure of registration.If, after making such enquiry as he considers necessary, the Registrar is satisfied that a co‑operative farming society applying for registration is eligible for registration under this Act, and that the bye‑laws proposed to be famed by it are not inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act, or he rules, he shall register it, and its bye‑laws within fifteen days from the receipt of its application.
- Evidence of registration.A certificate of registration signed by, the Registrar shall be conclusive evidence that the society mentioned therein is duly registered, unless it is proved that the registration of the society has been cancelled.
- Amendment of the bye‑laws of a society.___(1) No amendment of the bye‑laws of a society shall be effective unless it is registered with the Registrar.
(2) If the Registrar is satisfied that an amendment of the bye‑laws proposed to be made by a society is not inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act or the rules he shall register the amendment.
CHAPTER III
MEETINGS
- General meetings. Every society shall call an annual general meeting of its members and not less than one other general meeting in an agricultural year.
- Special general meeting.___(1) On a requisition signed by not less than one‑fifth of the total number of members of a society, the Chairman shall call special general meeting of the society within thirty days of the receipt of the requisition.
(2) If the Chairman does not call the meeting within the time specified in sub-section (1), the Registrar shall direct the Chairman to call the meeting within a period of seven days and, if the Chairman fails to do so, may himself call the meeting.
CHAPTER IV
MANAGING COMMITTEE AND RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF MEMBERS
- Managing committee of a society.___(1) Each member shall have one vote irrespective of the area of the land pooled by him; provided that in case of a deceased member all his heirs who want to remain members shall be registered and shall have the right to vote.
(2) The members shall, in their annual general meeting, elect, by majority of votes,—
(a) a managing committee consisting of not less than seven and not more than eleven members, including the office‑bearers; and
(b) one representative for the District Co‑operative Federation.
(3) A member of a committee, including an office‑bearer, and the representative shall unless he resigns or is removed from office earlier, hold office for a term of two years.
(4) No member of a committee or an office‑bearer or the representative shall hold office for more than two consecutive terms.
(5) Subject to such decisions, if any, as may be taken in a general meeting of a society, the management of the affairs of a society shall vest in the committee.
(6) A member of a committee, including an office‑bearer or the representative, may be removed from office by a resolution passed by a majority of the total number of members of a society in an annual general meeting or a meeting requisitioned for this purpose by not less than one‑third of the total number of members.
(7) Any member of a committee, including an office‑bearer, may by writing under his hand addressed to the Chairman, resign his office.
- Pooling of land.___(1) Every member shall, subject to the provisions of clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 4, pool his entire holding without affecting his ownership of the holding in any way:—
Provided that a member or group of members owning a subsistence holding may retain for his or their personal use an area not exceeding,—
(a) in the case of Baluchistan, two acres; and
(b) in the case of the other Provinces, one acre:—
Provided further that a member or group of members pooling more than a subsistence holding may retain for his or their personal use such area not exceeding,—
(a) in the case of Baluchistan, four acres, and
(b) in the case of the other Provinces, two acres; as may be determined by the committee:—
Provided further that the location of the area to be so retained may tae determined by the committee:—
Provided further that a member owning less than a subsistence holding shall not be entitled to retain any land for his personal use.
Explanation.___In this section, ‘subsistence holding’ shall have the same meaning as in the Land Reforms Regulation, 1972.
(2) All land pooled for a co‑operative farm by members shall for the purposes of management, vest in the society.
- Liability of members.The liability of a member shall be limited to the value of the land pooled by him.
- Evaluation of land, etc.___(1) The land pooled by each member for a co‑operative farm shall be evaluated by the Managing Committee according to quality and area on the basis of produce index units.
(2) If any land pooled by a member for a co‑operative farm contains orchards, ponds or any other immovable structures, the value of the orchards, ponds and other structures shall be assessed by the Managing Committee and added to the shares of such member:—
Provided that trees other than orchards shall continue to be the property of the member and the value thereof shall not be assessed or added to his share:—
Provided further that, if the committee decides to remove such trees or structures standing on any land, such trees or structures shall be removed on payment to the owner of such land of such compensation as may be determined by the committee.
- Withdrawal from membership.___(1) A member who has been a member of a society for not less than three years may, by notice under his hand addressed to the Chairman and delivered to him by the thirty-first day of March in any year, withdraw from membership of the society.
(2) Where, due to the death of a member, the rights and liabilities of the member devolve upon his legal heirs or successors and any of the heirs or successors is a minor the rights and liabilities of the minor shall be the rights and liabilities of his guardian until such time as the minor attains majority.
(3) A minor referred to in sub-section (2) may, after he attains majority, withdraw from the membership of the society in the manner provided for in sub-section (1) if the land owned by him has formed part of the co‑operative farm for not less than three years.
(4) On a member withdrawing from the membership of a society,—
(a) he shall cease to be member on and from the first day of July following the day on which he gives notice of his withdrawal;
(b) the land pooled by him shall revert to him on the aforesaid day subject to any encumbrances that may have been created on it by the society, to such extent as may be determined by the society;
(c) he shall not be entitled to any share in the Development Fund or to any right or interest in anything established or purchased out of that Fund; and
(d) he shall pay to the society, towards the cost of tube wells installed, residential houses, sheds or other structures raised, or improvements done on his land by the society, such amount, and in such manner, as may be determined by the society.
(5) As soon as may be after a person ceases to be a member, his name shall be notified to the Registrar for removal from membership.
- Admission of new members.___(l) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, a committee may admit to the membership of the society any owner of land who pools his land:
Provided that no owner of land shall be so admitted except after the close of the agricultural year during which the society is registered.
(2) As soon as may be after an owner of land is admitted as a member under sub-section (1), his name shall be notified to the Registrar.
CHAPTER V
PRIVILEGES AND LIABILITES OF SOCIETIES
- Societies to be bodies corporate.A society shall be a body corporate by the name under which it is registered, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to hold property, bath movable and immovable, and shall by the said name sue and be sued.
- Office of society.Every society shall have its office at such place within the co‑operative farm as it may decide.
- Copy of Act, etc., to be open to inspection.Every society shall keep open to inspection at all reasonable times at the registered address of the society, free of charge,—
(a) a copy of this Act,
(b) a copy of the rules governing such society,
(c) a copy of the bye‑laws of such society, and
(d) a register of its members.
- Liability in respect of encumbrances on land.___Where the land pooled by a member is subject to any encumbrances, such encumbrances shall continue to be the liability of such member.
- Audit and accounts.___(1) The accounts of a society shall be maintained in the prescribed manner shall be audited every year by an auditor or auditors appointed at each Annual General Meeting out of a list of auditors prepared by the Registrar and shall be laid before the Annual General Meeting for adoption.
(2) An auditor appointed under sub-section (1) shall have power,—
(a) to summon at the time of audit any officer, agent, servant and member, past or present, of the society whom he has reason to believe can give material information in regard to any transaction of the society or the management of its affairs; and
(b) to require the production of a book or document relating to the affairs of, or any cash or security belonging to, the society, by the officer, agent, servant or member believed by the auditor to he in possession of such book, document, cash or security.
(3) An auditor appointed under sub-section (1) shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting and shall be paid such fees as may be determined by the Annual General Meeting.
- Transfer of interest on death of a member.On the death of a member, the rights, interests and liabilities of tile member shall devolve on the legal heirs or successors of the member and such legal heirs or successors shall become the members of the society in place of tile deceased member.
CHAPTER VI
PROPERTY AND FUNDS OF THE SOCIETY
- Assets of the Society.___(1) A society shall have its own assets consisting of its properties built or acquired out of’ the Development Fund and such funds and properties as may be prescribed.
(2) A society may purchase any land or other property for the purposes of setting up its office or any agro‑based industry car for such other projects of public utility.
(3) Subject to such limits as may be prescribed. a society may, in so far as may be necessary for the purposes of the society, borrow money on the security of its property or of land forming part of the co‑operative farm.
(4) Where a society borrows money on the security of its property and also of the land forming part of the co‑operative farm, the society shall, as far as practicable, repay the loan obtained by it on the security of such land in priority to the other loans.
- Provisions for Reserve Fund Development Fund and other expenses.___(1) Every society shall maintain a Reserve Fund and a Development Fund.
(2) The Reserve Fund shall be utilized to meet natural calamities affecting the co‑operative faun or other property of the society and for such other purposes, and in such manner, as the committee may determine.
(3) The Development Fund shall be utilized for the development of the co‑operative farm and establishment of agro‑based industries, hospitals and schools and for such other purposes as, may be determined by the society.
(4) Every society may recover from the produce income of the co‑operative farm sufficient amount to meet its office expenditure, for the contribution it has to make to the District Co‑operative Federation and for the payment of fees to the auditors and of such traveling allowance and daily allowance to its representatives for attending meetings of the District Co‑operative Federation as it may from time to time determine.
- Distribution of produce income of co‑operative farm.___Out of the produce income of the co‑operative farm the direct expenses on account of agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilizers pesticides, water charges, land revenue, maintenance of tractors, tube‑wells, farm animals and agricultural implements, consumption of electricity, depreciation on fixed assets and the expenses referred to in subsection (4) of section 23, shall first be deducted and the balance shall be distributed as follows, namely:—
(a) not less than five per cent each for the Reserve Fund and Development Fund shall be set apart; and
(b) of the remaining amount, forty per cent shall be distributed amongst the members in proportion to the value of the land pooled by them and sixty per cent amongst the workers, including working members, and other staff working on the farm according to the quality and quantity of the work done, as determined by the committee.
- Distribution of profits.The net profits of the society from sources other than the co‑operative farm shall be distributed as follows, that is to say,—
(a) one‑third shall be set apart for credit to the Development Fund and repayment of loans, in such proportion as may be determined by the society; and
(b) the remaining two‑thirds shall be distributed amongst the members in proportion to the value of the land pooled by them.
- Rights of tenants etc.___(1) The tenants of the land pooled by a member for a co‑operative farm shall stand ejected from such land upon its being so pooled.
(2) The tenants ejected from any land by virtue of sub-section (1) shall be given preference in providing employment on the co‑operative farm or in the agro‑based industries of the society and if a member withdraws from the society or the society is wound up, the tenancy rights of such tenants shall stand restored.
CHAPTER VII
LIQUIDATION AND WINDIING UP
- Winding up.___(1) If one third of the total number of members of a society apply to the Chairman of the District Co‑operative Federation for winding up the society and the Chairman, after such enquiry as he may deem fit, is of the opinion that the society ought to be wound up, he may issue an order directing it to be wound up, and when necessary may appoint a liquidator for the purpose from amongst the members of the District Co‑operative Federation and fix his remuneration.
(2) A copy of an order passed under sub-section (1) shall be sent to the Registrar.
- Winding zip if membership is reduced.___(1) Where the membership of a society is reduces to less than twenty members or the area of the cooperative farm is reduced to less than the minimum area specified in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 4, the Chairman of the District Co‑operative Federation may, after allowing the society a period of sixty days to make up the deficiency by order in writing direct that the society be wound up, and when necessary, may appoint a liquidator .or the purpose from amongst the members of the District Co‑operative Federation and fix his remuneration.
(2) A copy of an order passed under sub-section (1) shall be sent to the Registrar.
- Effect of winding up.When a society is wound up,—
(a) the standing crop of the co‑operative farm shall be harvested and the produce income distributed in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
(b) the land comprising the co‑operative farm shall revert to the members together with improvements, if any, made by the society and subject to the encumbrances, if any, created thereon by the society and subject to payment by each member of the cost of such improvements on his land as at the tune of the winding up;
(c) after all the liabilities of the society have been met, the assets of the society, including the Reserve Fund, shall, subject to clause (d) be divided amongst the members in proportion to the value of the land pooled by them; and
(d) the hospitals, schools and other social institutions, if any, established by the society shall stand transferred to, and vest in, the District Co‑operative Federation and shall be managed by it in accordance with schemes prepared by it and approved by the Provincial Co‑operative Federation.
- Power of Chairman of District Co‑operative Federation to assess damage.Where, in the course of the winding up of a society, it appears that any person who has taken part in the organisation or management, of the society or any past or present member or office‑bearer of a committee or officer of the society has misapplied or retained or become liable or accountable for any money or property of the society or has been guilty of breach of trust in relation to the society. the Chairman of the District Co‑operative Federation may, of his own motion or on the application of a liquidator or any other interested person, hold an inquiry into the conduct of such person, member or officer and make an order requiring him to repay or restore the money or property or any part thereof respectively with interest at such rate as the chairman thinks just , or to contribute such sum to the assets of the society by way of compensation in regard try the misapplication, retainer or breach of trust as the Chairman thinks just.
- Bar of suit.Save as is otherwise provided in the Act, no civil court shall have jurisdiction in respect of any matter arising out of any proceedings under this Act or connected with the winding up of a society nor shall any suit or other legal proceedings lie or be proceeded with against the society, except by the leave of the Chairman of the Provincial Co‑operative Council and subject to such terms as he may impose.
- Arbitration.___(1) If any dispute with regard to the business of a society other than a dispute regarding disciplinary action taken by the society or its committee against a paid servant of the society, arises,—
(a) between the members or past members of a society, or persons claiming through a member or past member; or
(b) between the members or past members or persons so claiming and any past or present office‑bearer; or
(c) between the society or its committee and any past or present member of the society; or
(d) between the society or its committee and any past or present of member of the society;
it shall be reported to the Chairman of the District Co‑operative Federation. who shall refer it for decision to not more than three arbitrators appointed by him from amongst the members of the ‘District Co‑operative Federation.
(2) Any party aggrieved by the award of the arbitrators under sub-section (1) may within one month of the date of the communication of the order, prefer an appeal to the District Judge.
(3) The award of arbitrators, or an award passed in appeal by the District Judge under sub-section (2), shall, subject to the provisions of section 54, be final and shall not be liable to be called in question in any Court.
- Attachment before award.Where a dispute has been referred to arbitration under section 32 and the arbitrators are satisfied on inquiry or otherwise that a party to such arbitration is, with intent to delay or obstruct the execution of any award that may be made, about to dispose of the whole or any part of his property, the arbitrators may direct the conditional attachment of the said property and such attachment shall have the same effect as if made by a competent civil Court.
- Recoveries of dues.Every award made under section 32, every order passed in appeal under that section, and every order passed under section 5 shall be deemed to be a decree of a civil Court and shall be executed in the same manner as a decree of such court.
CHAPTER VIII
FEDERATION OP THE SOCIETIES
- District Co‑operative Federation.___(1) In each district in which not less than two societies are in existence, there shall be formed a District Cooperative Federation of Co‑operative Farming Societies which shall consist of one representative from each society in the district.
(2) Each District Co‑operative Federation shall elect at its general meeting its office‑bearers, including the Chairman, two representatives for the District Co‑operative Council and one representative for the Provincial Co‑operative Federation, provided that till such time as the requisite number of representatives mentioned in sub-section (1) are available, two or more representatives shall carry out the responsibilities of all the required office‑bearers.
(3) The office‑bearers, including the Chairman and representatives shall hold office for a term of two years.
(4) A representative for a District Co‑operative Council or a Provincial Co‑operative Federation may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Chairman of the District Co‑operative Council or, as the case may be, the Provincial Co‑operative Federation, resign his office.
- Fund and functions of District Co‑operative Federation.___(1) A District Co‑operative Federation shall have a fund to which shall be credited the contributions received by it from the societies and out of which shall be defrayed the contributions it shall make to the Provincial Co‑operative Federation and the office and other expenses of the District Co‑operative Federation.
(2) A District Co‑operative Federation shall deal with matters of mutual interest to the societies in the district and make recommendations to the District Co‑operative Council on matters with which the Provincial Government is concerned.
- Provincial Co‑operative Federation.___(1) There shall be formed in each Province a Provincial Federation of Co‑operative Farming Societies which shall consist of one representative from each of the District Co‑operative Federations within the Province.
(2) Each Provincial Co‑operative Federation shall elect in its general meeting its office‑bearers, including the Chairman, five representatives for the Provincial Co‑operative Council and one representative for the National Cooperative Council.
(3) A representative shall hold office for a term of one year.
(4) A representative for a Provincial Co‑operative Council or the National Co‑operative Council, may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Chairman of the Provincial Co‑operative council or as the case may be, the National Co‑operative Council, resign his office.
(5) The Provincial Co‑operative Federation may make bye‑laws relating to its meeting and procedure and the performance of its functions.
- Fund and functions of the Provincial Co‑operative Federation.___(1) A Provincial Co‑operative Federation shall have a fund to which shall be credited the contributions received by it from the District Co‑operative Federation and out of which shall be defrayed its office and other expenses.
(2) The functions of the Provincial Co‑operative Federation shall be to deal with matters of mutual interest to the societies in the Province and make recommendations to the Co‑operative Council on matters with which the Provincial Government is concerned.
- District Co‑operative Council.___(1) There shall be formed in each district a District Co‑operative Council which shall consist of the heads of the nation‑building departments in the district and two representatives of the District Co‑operative Federation:
Provided that, pending the availability of the representatives of the District Co‑operative Federation, the District Co‑operative Council may consist of only the heads of the said departments.
(2) The elected Chairman of the District Council established under the Provincial Law relating to local government shall be the ex officio Chairman of the District Co‑operative Council.
(3) Pending the election of the Chairman of the District Co‑operative Council referred to in sub-section (2) the Chairman shall be appointed by the Provincial Government from amongst the members of the council.
(4) The District Co‑operative Council may make bye‑.laws relating to its meetings and procedure and the performance of its functions.
- Functions of the District Co‑operative Council.___(l) A District Co‑operative Council shall, of its own motion or on the recommendation of the District Co‑operative
Federation, co‑ordinate the services of the different nation‑building departments and the District Co‑operative Federation and extend all possible assistance to the societies within the district.
(2) A District Co‑operative Council shall review the decisions taken by it from time to time, the progress of co‑operative farming movement within the district and suggest measures for its improvement and future development.
(3) The Provincial Government shall make available to a District Cooperative Council such funds as the Provincial Government may consider adequate for enabling the Council to perform its functions.
- Provincial Co‑operative Council.___(1) There shall be formed in each Province a Provincial Co‑operative Council which shall consist of all the Secretaries to the Provincial Government in the nation‑building departments and five representatives of the Provincial Co‑operative Federation.
(2) The Provincial Minister dealing with the matters relating to cooperation shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Provincial Co‑operative Council and the Secretary of the department dealing with such matters shall he the ex-officioSecretary of the Council.
(3) The Provincial Co‑operative Council may make bye‑laws relating to its meetings and procedure and the performance of its functions.
- Functions of the Provincial Co‑operative Council.___(1) The Provincial Co‑operative Council shall co‑ordinate the activities of all the District Cooperative Councils within the Province, ensure uniformity of policy throughout the Province and perform at the Provincial level the functions assigned by section 40 to the District Co‑operative Council at the district level.
(2) The Provincial Government will make available to the Provincial Cooperative Council such funds as the Provincial Government may consider adequate for enabling the Council to perform its functions.
- National Co‑operative Council.___(1) As soon as may be after the commencement of this Act the Federal Government shall constitute the National Co‑operative Council which shall consist of the following members, namely,—
(a) the Federal Minister‑in‑charge of the Ministry dealing with matters relating to co‑operatives, who shall be the Chairman of the Council;
(b) the Provincial Ministers dealing with matters relating to Co‑operation in each Province;
(c) one representative of the Provincial Co‑operative Federation; and
(d) such other members as the Federal Government may appoint:
Provided that, for the first constitution of the National Co‑operative Council the members referred to in clause (c) shall be nominated by the Chairman of the Council.
(2) The National Council may make bye‑laws relating to its meetings and procedure and the performance of its functions.
- Functions of the National Co‑operative Council.___(1) The National Cooperative Council shall co‑ordinate the activities of the Provincial Co‑operative Councils and ensures uniformity of policy in all the Provinces by laying down policy guidelines for the working of the Provincial Co‑operative Councils and the District Co‑operative Councils.
(2) The National Co‑operative Council shall review its decisions taken from time to time and the progress of the co‑operative movement in all the Provinces and suggest measures for its over‑all future development.
(3) The National Co‑operative Council shall also maintain liaison between the Federal and Provincial nation‑building departments and arrange for the holding of national and international seminars on various aspects of co‑operative farming.
(4) The Federal Government shall make available to the National Cooperative Council such funds as the Federal Government may consider adequate for enabling the Council to perform its functions.
CHAPTER IX
INSPECTION OF AFFAIRS
- Inquiry by Chairman District Co‑operative Federation.___(1) The Chairman of tile District Co‑operative Federation may. of his own motion, by himself or by a person duly authorized by him in writing in this behalf hold an inquiry into the constitution, working and financial condition of a society.
(2) The Chairman of the District Co‑operative Federation shall hold such an inquiry as is contemplated in sub-section (1) of this section,—
(a) on the application of a majority of the committee of the society, or
(b) on the application one‑third of the members of the society.
(3) All officers and members of the society whose affairs are investigated shall furnish such information in their possession in regard to the affairs of the society as the person holding the inquiry may require.
(4) The result of any inquiry under this section shall be communicated to the society whose affairs have been investigated.
- Inspection of books of indebted society.___(1) the Chairman of the District Co‑operative Federation may, on the application of a creditor of a society, inspect or direct some person authorized by him by order in writing in the behalf to inspect the books of the society:—
Provided that the applicant,—
(a) satisfies the Chairman that the debt is a sum then due, and that he has demanded payment thereof and has wit received satisfaction within a reasonable time; and
(b) deposits with the Chairman such sum as security for the costs of the proposed inspection as the Chairman may require.
(2) The Chairman shall communicate the result of any such inspection to the creditor.
- Power of Chairman District Cooperative Federation to exercise powers under section 30 in the course of an inquiry or inspection.Where in the course of any inquiry under section 45 or an inspection under section 46, it appears to the Chairman of the District Co‑operative Federation that there exists any such grounds as is specified in section 30, he may of his own motion or on the application of the person authorized by him under section 45 or section 46, exercise the powers specified in section 30.
- Costs of inquiry.Where an inquiry is held under section 45 or an inspection is made under section 46, the Chairman of the District Co‑operative Federation may apportion the costs, or such part of the costs, as he may consider proper between the society, the members of creditor demanding the inquiry or inspection, the officers or former officers, and the members or past members of the society:
Provided that,—
(a) no order of apportionment of the costs shall be made under the section unless the society or person liable to pay the costs thereunder has or have been heard or has or have had a reasonable opportunity of being heard; and
(b) the Chairman shall record the grounds on which the costs were apportioned.
- Recovery of costs.Any sum awarded by way of costs under section 48 may be recovered, on application by the Chairman of the District Co‑operative Federation to a Magistrate having jurisdiction in the place where the person from whom the money is claimable actually and voluntarily resides, or carries on business, by the distress and sale of any movable property within the limits of the jurisdiction of such Magistrate belonging to such person, and such Magistrate shall proceed to recover the same to the same manner as if it were a fine imposed by himself.
CHAPTER X
MISCELLANEOUS
- Amalgamation or transfer of societies.___(1) Any two or more societies may. with the approval of the District Co‑operative Federation, by resolution passed by a three‑fourths majority of the members present at a special general meeting of each such society held for the purpose, amalgamate as a single society:—
Provided that each member has had fifteen clear days’ notice of the resolution and the date of the meeting.
(2) An amalgamation referred to in sub-section (1) may be effected without a dissolution, or a division of the funds, of the amalgamating societies and the resolution of the societies concerned shall on such amalgamation, be a sufficient conveyance to vest the assets and liabilities of the amalgamating societies in the amalgamated society.
(3) Any society may, by a resolution passed in accordance with the procedure laid down in subsection (1) transfer its assets and liabilities to any other society which is prepared to accept them:
Provided that, when any such amalgamation or transfer of assets and liabilities involves the transfer of its liabilities by any society to any other society, it shall not be made without giving three months’ notice to the creditors of both or such societies:
Provided further that if a creditor of any of the societies concerned objects to such amalgamation or transfer of assets and liabilities and gives written notice to that effect to the society or societies concerned one month before the date fixed for the amalgamation or transfer, the amalgamation or transfer shall not be made until the dues of such creditor have been satisfied.
- Powers to exempt from stamp duty or registration fee, etc.The Provincial Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, reduce or remit,—
(a) the stamp‑duty with which. under any law for the time being in force, any instrument executed by or on behalf of a society or by an officer or member and relating to the business of the society, or security bonds executed by or on behalf of officers or servants of a society, or awards of the arbitrators under this Act, are chargeable; and
(b) any fee payable under the law relating to the registration of documents or to court‑fees for the time being in force.
- Exemption from income‑tax.The earnings of a society and the dividend paid by it to its members shall be exempt from income‑tax.
- Notice necessary in suits.No suit shall be instituted against a society or any of the office‑bearers in respect of any act relating to the business of the society until the expiration of three months next, after notice in writing has been given to the Chairman of the District Cooperative Federation.
- Power of revision.The Chairman of the Provincial Co‑operative Council may, of his own motion or otherwise call for the record of any case or proceedings under this Act for the purpose of satisfying himself as to the correctness, legality or propriety of any decision or order passed by any authority, and may pass such order in relation thereto as he may think fit:
Provided that no order shall be passed under this section revising or modifying an order affecting any person unless such person has been afforded an opportunity of being heard.
- Transitional provisions.___(1) Till such time as the District Cooperative Federation is formed in a District and its Chairman has been elected,—
(a) the powers and functions of the District Co‑operative Federation under this Act and the rules shall be exercised and performed by the District Co‑operative Council; and
(b) the powers and functions of the Chairman under this Act and the rules shall be exercised and performed by the Chairman of the District Cooperative Council.
(2) Till such time as the Provincial Co‑operative Federation is formed in a Province, its powers and functions under this Act and the rules shall be exercised and performed by the Provincial Co‑operative Council.
- Power to make rules.The Provincial Government may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
- 1 Repeal.The Co‑operative Farming Ordinance, 1976 (XXII of 1976), is hereby repealed.