NOTES AND REFERENCES‌

1. In Part III of the Constitution, in Article 19, in clause (1), in sub-clause (c), the words "co-operative societies” were inserted.

2. In Part IV of the Constitution, a new Article 43-B was inserted, which says: "The state shall endeavour to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of cooperative societies”.

3. The "board” means the board of directors or the governing body of a cooperative society, by whatever name called, to which the direction and control of the management of the affairs of a society is entrusted to.

4. An "office bearer” means a president, vice-president, chairperson, vicechairperson, secretary or treasurer of a co-operative society and includes any other person to be elected by the board of any co-operative society.

5. In case of cooperative banks, other than multi-state cooperative banks, this period cannot exceed one year.

6. The "Registrar” means the Central Registrar appointed by the Central Government in relation to the multi-state co-operative societies and the Registrar for co-operative societies appointed by the state government under the law made by the legislature of a state in relation to co- operative societies.

7. February 15, 2012, is the date of commencement of the Constitution (Ninety-seventh Amendment) Act, 2011. The Centre has asked state governments to amend their respective State Cooperative Society Act in tune with the Constitution (97th Amendment) Act, 2011 before February 14, 2013.