Short Answer

Yes, members can use the Right to Information (RTI) to obtain information from a cooperative society.

Detailed Explanation

Section 2(f) of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 defines "Right to Information" as the right to information accessible under the Right to Information Act, 2005. This means that members of a cooperative society can utilize the provisions of the RTI Act to request information from the society. In practice, this allows members to seek details regarding the functioning, financial transactions, decision-making processes, and other relevant information of the cooperative society.

Furthermore, Rule 123 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965 specifies the procedure for providing information under the RTI Act. The society is obligated to respond to RTI requests within the stipulated time frame and provide the requested information unless it falls under any exemptions as per the RTI Act. Members can submit their RTI applications to the designated Public Information Officer of the society.

Real-world Scenarios

• Mr. Patel, a member of a cooperative housing society, files an RTI application seeking details of the society's maintenance expenses for the past year.

• Ms. Shah, a member of an agricultural cooperative society, uses the RTI to request information on the utilization of funds collected for a specific project.

• A group of members from a credit cooperative society jointly file an RTI application to obtain copies of the society's audit reports for the last three years.

Reference

• Section 2(f) of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961

• Rule 123 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965