Short Answer

Yes, the Registrar has the power to impose penalties on society officials, including fines up to ₹500.

Detailed Explanation

Section 71 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 empowers the Registrar to impose penalties on society officials. It states that if any officer or member of a society fails to comply with the provisions of the Act, Rules, or by-laws, the Registrar may impose a penalty up to ₹500 on them. This provision is aimed at ensuring compliance and accountability among society officials.

In practice, if the Registrar receives a complaint or identifies a violation by society officials, they can initiate proceedings to impose penalties. The officials will be given an opportunity to present their case before any penalty is imposed. The Registrar will consider the evidence and circumstances before deciding on the penalty amount, which can go up to ₹500.

Real-world Scenarios

• Scenario 1: The Registrar receives a complaint that the Treasurer of a cooperative society has misused funds for personal expenses. After investigation, the Registrar finds the Treasurer guilty and imposes a fine of ₹500 as a penalty.

• Scenario 2: A society Secretary fails to submit the annual financial report within the specified timeline. The Registrar issues a notice to the Secretary, giving them a chance to explain. Upon non-satisfactory response, a penalty of ₹300 is imposed.

Reference

• Section 71 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961: Official PDF