Introductory reference page for the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 and the accompanying downloadable statutory material.
Overview #
The Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 is the principal State legislation governing the formation, registration, management, supervision and dispute resolution framework for co-operative societies in Maharashtra. The Act is cited in the PDF as Maharashtra Act No. XXIV of 1961, received the assent of the President on 4 May 1961 and was first published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette on 9 May 1961.
The Act applies to the whole State of Maharashtra and covers different types of co-operative societies, including agricultural marketing societies, consumer societies, farming societies, housing societies, co-operative banks, federal societies and apex societies. It is therefore relevant not only for traditional agricultural and credit co-operatives, but also for housing societies, urban co-operative banks, service co-operatives and sector-specific co-operative structures.
Object of the legislation #
The stated legislative object is to consolidate and amend the law relating to co-operative societies in the State of Maharashtra. The preamble links the statute with the orderly development of the co-operative movement in Maharashtra in accordance with the Directive Principles of State Policy.
In practical terms, the Act provides a statutory framework for democratic member-based organisations, registration of bye-laws, regulation of committees of management, financial participation of members, classification of societies, supervision by the Registrar and resolution of disputes through the co-operative adjudicatory mechanism.
Scope and relevance #
The Act is frequently used in Maharashtra in matters involving housing societies, co-operative credit institutions, agricultural and marketing societies, consumer societies and co-operative banks. For lawyers and legal researchers, it is important in disputes concerning membership, bye-laws, management committee powers, elections, society records, transfer of shares or interest, recovery of dues, disputes between members and societies, and the jurisdiction of Co-operative Courts and the Co-operative Appellate Court.
For housing society members, office-bearers, auditors, administrators, banks and professionals advising co-operative entities, the Act must usually be read with the applicable Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Rules, registered bye-laws of the concerned society, circulars or directions of the Co-operation Department, and the latest amendments in force.
Selected important provisions and themes #
- Section 1 deals with the short title, territorial extent and commencement of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960.
- Section 2 contains key definitions such as agricultural marketing society, apex society, bye-laws, central bank, committee, consumer society, co-operative bank, Co-operative Court, Co-operative Appellate Court, dividend, farming society, federal society and housing society.
- The Act recognises the central role of registered bye-laws, which govern the internal working of a society subject to the Act and Rules.
- Management of a society is vested in its committee or board of directors; the PDF excerpt identifies section 73 in connection with the committee in which management of the affairs of a society is vested.
- The Act provides for classification and regulation of different types of societies, including apex societies, federal societies, housing societies, agricultural societies and co-operative banks.
- The statute includes a dedicated co-operative dispute resolution structure, including Co-operative Courts and the Maharashtra Co-operative Appellate Court.
- The Act also contemplates special provisions for co-operative banking and agricultural and rural development banking; the PDF excerpt refers to Chapter XI in the definition of co-operative bank.
- Financial concepts such as bonus and dividend are defined and regulated in relation to profits and member participation in the business of a society.
How to use this Bare Act #
- Start with the definition clause in section 2, because the legal treatment of a society often depends on whether it is a housing society, consumer society, co-operative bank, federal society, apex society or another class of society.
- Read the Act together with the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Rules and the registered bye-laws of the particular society.
- For disputes, check whether the matter falls within the co-operative adjudicatory framework before approaching an ordinary civil forum.
- For housing society issues, identify the relevant registered bye-laws and the society records in addition to the Act.
- For banking or credit co-operatives, verify whether any banking law, RBI-related regulatory requirement or special co-operative banking provision also applies.
- Use the downloadable PDF as a statutory reference, but confirm whether later amendments, notifications or substituted provisions are applicable.
Related Bare Acts and statutes #
- Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958
- Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966
- Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966
- Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949
- Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950
The PDF excerpt appears to reproduce an older consolidated text showing amendments up to an earlier period. Users should verify the latest Maharashtra amendments, current Rules, Government notifications and applicable model bye-laws before relying on any provision for advice, litigation, compliance or drafting.
