The Chhattisgarh Government has decided to promulgate an Ordinance to set up a ‘Co-operative Election Commission’ in the State.
Initially, the Government had planned to bring an Ordinance in the Monsoon Session of the State Assembly. However it could not be done due to some difficulties.
The Government is planning to form the Commission to hold the elections to the Co-operative bodies. The Chhattisgarh Cabinet has already given its nod to the proposal.
Officials informed that the Chhattisgarh Assembly had already passed the Co-operative Amendment bill and after that it was sent to the President through the Governor for approval. The President has also given his nod to the new Act.
According to the earlier provision the State Election Commission was supposed to hold the cooperative election. But the Commission had declined to do it citing certain constitutional provisions.
So far elections have been conducted for the Primary Cooperative Societies. The election has not been held for district and state-level cooperative societies.
Now after the establishment of the Commission, election to such bodies would be easy. Under the new provisions, the government is empowered to appoint officials or experienced people on vacant post in the societies.
Currently, district collectors have been functioning as the head of such Co-operative societies and Co-operative banks. Since it will take at least six months to constitute the Commission, the State government can also appoint political persons on such post if it wants.