Short Answer

Yes, as per the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 and Rules, the society is required to notify its members of any changes in utility contracts, such as the water supplier.

Detailed Explanation

Section 33 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 states that the committee of a cooperative society is responsible for the management of the society's affairs. This includes ensuring proper maintenance and utility services for the members. Rule 92 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965 further elaborates on the duties of the committee, stating that they must inform the members about any changes in utility contracts that may affect them.

In practice, this means that if the society decides to change its water supplier, the committee must notify all members of this change in advance. This notification should include details such as the reason for the change, the new supplier's information, any potential impact on utility bills, and the effective date of the change.

Real-world Scenarios

• Scenario 1: XYZ Cooperative Society decides to switch its water supplier due to better service offerings. The committee sends out a notice to all members informing them of the upcoming change, providing details of the new supplier and any changes in billing procedures.

• Scenario 2: ABC Cooperative Society faces issues with its current water supplier and decides to terminate the contract. The committee holds a meeting to discuss the situation with members and notifies them of the decision to find a new supplier.

Step-by-step process:

• The committee decides to change the utility contract.

• Prepare a notice detailing the change, reasons, new supplier information, and effective date.

• Distribute the notice to all members through official communication channels.

• Address any queries or concerns raised by the members regarding the change.

References

• Section 33 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961

• Rule 92 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965