Lok Sabha passes Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill

livemint.com:

Lok Sabha on Tuesday also passed the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to strengthen cooperatives by making them transparent and introducing a system of regular elections. The bill was later approved by the Lok Sabha amid din by voice vote after a short discussion during which only three members participated. Piloting the bill, the union home minister and minister of cooperation Amit Shah said, “With the passing of this bill by this House, a new era will begin in the country's cooperative movement." Shah said the Union Cabinet has given approval to this bill to increase transparency, accountability and profit in multi-state cooperative societies.

“The Modi government has decided to form three new multi-state societies to strengthen cooperatives. The first society will act as a platform to export the produce of the farmers. The second society will associate small farmers with the production of seeds and through these farmers with 1 acre of land will also be able to associate with seed production," the minister elaborated.

“The third society will provide suitable prices to the farmers for their produce by marketing their organic products across the country and the world," he added. In the bill, a provision has been made for the Election Authority to implement electoral reforms to conduct fair elections, and the authority will be as powerful as the Election Commission and there will be no government interference in it. In addition, if one-third of vacancies are created on the board, a provision has been made to hold elections again for the vacant posts.