MPs, MLAs to lose cooperative posts in C'garh

Raipur, Mar 31 (UNI) Amid ongoing controversy over office of profit, the Chhattisgarh government has formulated a legislation barring elected representatives from holding the post of president or vice-president of any cooperative society.

The Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha, during its budget session which concluded yesterday, passed the state Cooperative Societies Bill, 2006, which aims at strengthening the democratic character of the cooperative societies.

Talking to reporters about the new legislation, Cooperatives Minister Ram Vichar Netam said as per the provisions, members of parliament, legislators, sarpanch, Janpad and zila panchayat presidents mayors, municipal chairman, nagar panchayat chairman would not be able to hold the posts of president or vice-president of any cooperative society.

Replying to a question, he said the provision was not included in the Bill in the light of the ongoing controversy over MPs and MLAs holding other office of profit.

''The process of drafting the bill had started long ago as the previous government itself had felt the need for introducing such a legislation to streamline the functioning of cooperative societies,'' he added.

On number of MPs, MLAs and other elected representatives to be affected by the new legislation, Mr Netam said, ''We have not collected any such data.'' Throwing light on the provisions of the Bill, he said the state would set up a cooperative election commission to hold free and fair elections to the societies.

Besides, the Bill also provides for setting up a separate court to deal with cooperative disputes and a cooperative tribunal.

As per the new legislation, no person would be able to function as president or vice-president of more than one cooperative society.

Clear provisions has been included in the Bill to hold elections before completion of five-year term of any cooperative society.

The Bill stipulates that all those who were born after December 31, 1970, will have to be 'literate' to contest an election to a cooperative society.

UNI JJ VD RAI1834