Short Answer

Yes, society members can be compensated for election expenses.

Detailed Explanation

Section 73 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 allows for the payment of honorarium and remuneration to members of the committee for their services. This provision can be utilized to compensate society members for election-related expenses incurred during the process. The Act does not specifically mention election expenses, but the broad language of this section can be interpreted to cover such costs.

Furthermore, Rule 135 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965 provides guidelines on the payment of honorarium to committee members. While this rule does not explicitly mention election expenses, it sets a framework for compensating members for their services to the society, which can include expenses related to elections.

In practice, society members can pass a resolution during a general body meeting authorizing the payment of election expenses to committee members. This resolution should be recorded in the minutes of the meeting and implemented as per the provisions of the Act and Rules.

Real-world Scenarios

• Scenario 1: A cooperative society conducts elections, and some members incur expenses for campaigning, printing materials, or organizing events. The society can compensate these members for their election-related costs under Section 73 of the Act.

• Scenario 2: The society committee appoints an election committee to oversee the election process. The election committee members can be reimbursed for their expenses as per the guidelines set by Rule 135 of the Rules.

Overall, the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act and Rules provide a framework for compensating society members for election expenses through the payment of honorarium and remuneration.

References

• Section 73 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961: Official PDF

• Rule 135 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965: Official PDF