Short Answer

Section 86 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 deals with the powers of the Registrar to inquire into complaints against cooperative societies.

Detailed Explanation

Section 86 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 states that the Registrar has the authority to inquire into complaints made against cooperative societies. This section empowers the Registrar to investigate various issues such as mismanagement, fraud, non-compliance with laws, or any other grievances raised by the members or the public against a cooperative society.

In practice, Section 86 allows for a formal process where complaints can be lodged with the Registrar regarding the functioning or conduct of a cooperative society. The Registrar will then conduct an inquiry to determine the validity of the complaints and take necessary actions based on the findings. This could include issuing warnings, imposing penalties, or even ordering the dissolution of the society if serious violations are found.

Real-world scenarios where Section 86 may come into play include cases of financial irregularities within a cooperative society, disputes among members regarding decision-making processes, or allegations of corruption against the management committee. In such situations, members or stakeholders can file complaints with the Registrar, triggering an investigation under Section 86.

Practical Examples

• Scenario 1: Members of a cooperative housing society allege that the management committee is embezzling funds and not maintaining proper accounts. They file a complaint with the Registrar under Section 86 for an inquiry into the financial mismanagement.

• Scenario 2: A cooperative credit society is accused of granting loans to non-members in violation of the rules. Concerned members approach the Registrar with a complaint invoking Section 86 to investigate the unauthorized lending practices.

• Scenario 3: A cooperative agricultural society faces allegations of favoritism in procurement practices. Farmers associated with the society raise a complaint with the Registrar under Section 86 to address the issue of unfair treatment.

References

• Section 86 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961: Official PDF