Short Answer

Multiple members can join together in a single complaint under the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961.

Detailed Explanation

Section 70 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 allows multiple members to join together in a single complaint. This section empowers members to collectively address grievances or issues they may have with the cooperative society. By filing a joint complaint, members can strengthen their case and present a unified front against any alleged misconduct or violation by the society.

Furthermore, Rule 85 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965 provides procedural guidelines for filing complaints collectively. This rule ensures that the process of lodging a complaint is streamlined and efficient when multiple members are involved. It outlines the necessary documentation, format, and submission requirements for a joint complaint to the Registrar of Cooperative Societies.

In practice, multiple members coming together in a single complaint can amplify the impact of their grievances and increase the likelihood of a favorable resolution. For instance, if several members of a cooperative society are facing similar issues such as financial mismanagement or lack of transparency, pooling their complaints can demonstrate the widespread nature of the problem and prompt swifter action from the authorities.

Real-world Scenarios

• In a housing cooperative, several residents notice discrepancies in the maintenance charges being levied by the society. Instead of filing individual complaints, they decide to collectively address this issue by submitting a joint complaint to the Registrar, citing specific instances of overcharging and seeking redressal.

• A group of farmers belonging to a cooperative society find irregularities in the distribution of profits from agricultural produce. To address this concern effectively, they collaborate to file a unified complaint outlining the discrepancies and requesting an investigation by the Registrar to ensure fair distribution of earnings.

• Members of a credit cooperative society encounter delays in loan approvals and disbursements, impacting their financial stability. By lodging a joint complaint highlighting the systemic inefficiencies causing these delays, they aim to prompt corrective action and improve the overall functioning of the society.

References

• Section 70 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961: Official PDF

• Rule 85 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965: Official PDF