Short Answer

Co-opted members have the right to attend committee meetings, express their opinions, and participate in discussions, but they do not have the right to vote.

Detailed Explanation

Section 73 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 states that co-opted members are appointed by the committee for their specialized knowledge or experience. These members have the right to attend committee meetings, express their opinions, and participate in discussions. However, as per Section 73(2) of the Act, co-opted members do not have the right to vote at committee meetings. This provision ensures that the elected members retain decision-making authority within the committee.

In practice, co-opted members play a crucial role in providing valuable insights and expertise on specific matters discussed during committee meetings. They contribute to informed decision-making by sharing their knowledge, but their role is advisory in nature. Real-world scenarios may include co-opted members from legal, financial, or technical backgrounds offering guidance on legal matters, financial planning, or technical projects without having the power to influence voting outcomes.

For example, in a cooperative housing society, a chartered accountant may be co-opted to provide financial advice to the committee. While the accountant can share recommendations and insights on financial matters, they cannot participate in the voting process during meetings. Similarly, a legal expert co-opted to advise on legal issues can contribute expertise but cannot cast votes on decisions.

Overall, co-opted members enhance the committee's decision-making process by offering specialized knowledge and advice, but they do not have the authority to vote on resolutions or decisions.

References

• Section 73 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961: Official PDF