Short Answer

No, the vice-chairman does not take over automatically if the chairman resigns.

Detailed Explanation

Section 31 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 addresses the resignation of the chairman. It states that in case the chairman resigns, the committee shall elect another member to act as the chairman until the next election. This means that the vice-chairman does not automatically assume the role of chairman but rather the committee has to elect a new chairman.

Rule 48 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965 further elaborates on the procedure for electing a new chairman in case of resignation. The rule specifies that the committee members shall convene a meeting to elect a new chairman from among themselves. This ensures a democratic process in selecting the new chairman rather than an automatic succession by the vice-chairman.

In practice, when a chairman resigns, the vice-chairman may temporarily assume the responsibilities of the chairman until a new chairman is elected by the committee. The committee members will have to follow the procedures outlined in the Act and Rules to elect a new chairman through a proper voting process.

Real-world Scenarios

• In a cooperative society, the chairman resigns due to personal reasons. The vice-chairman temporarily takes charge of the chairman's duties until the committee conducts an election to choose a new chairman.

• If the vice-chairman is unable or unwilling to take on the role of chairman, the committee members must convene a meeting to select a new chairman as per the provisions of the Act and Rules.

• The resignation of the chairman may lead to discussions and deliberations among the committee members to decide on the most suitable candidate to lead the society until the next election.

Reference

• Section 31 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961: [Official PDF]

• Rule 48 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965: [Official PDF]