Short Answer

Yes, committee meeting minutes need to be signed and circulated like AGM (Annual General Meeting) minutes.

Detailed Explanation

Section 75 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 mandates the maintenance of minutes of all meetings of the committee. These minutes are required to be signed by the chairperson of the meeting at which the proceedings were held and also by the chairperson of the next meeting. This ensures the authenticity and accuracy of the recorded discussions and decisions taken during the committee meetings. The signed minutes serve as an official record of the proceedings and decisions made by the committee.

Furthermore, Rule 66 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965 specifies that the minutes of the committee meetings should be circulated to all committee members within a reasonable time after the meeting. This circulation ensures that all members are informed about the discussions and decisions taken during the meeting. It also provides an opportunity for members to raise any objections or corrections to the minutes before they are finalized.

In practice, the signed and circulated committee meeting minutes play a crucial role in maintaining transparency, accountability, and compliance within the cooperative society. They serve as a reference point for future discussions, help in tracking the progress of decisions, and act as a legal document in case of any disputes or discrepancies.

Practical Examples

• Scenario: A cooperative housing society committee holds a meeting to discuss the maintenance charges for the upcoming year. The chairperson signs the minutes at the end of the meeting, and these minutes are circulated to all committee members for review and feedback.

• Scenario: During a committee meeting of a cooperative credit society, various loan applications are discussed and decisions are made. The signed minutes of this meeting are shared with all committee members to ensure everyone is aware of the approved loan applications.

• Scenario: In a cooperative agricultural society, the committee convenes to review the crop procurement process. The signed minutes detailing the discussions and decisions taken during the meeting are circulated among all members to maintain transparency and accountability.

References

• Section 75 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961: Official PDF

• Rule 66 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965: Official PDF