Karnataka Assembly passes law to control minority co-operative societies sans debate

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed a new law that empowers the government to take control of cooperative societies run by minorities without any debate or discussion.

The Karnataka Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill was passed even as Congress protested and shouted slogans in the well of the House against the government in connection with the sex scandal.

Piloting the Bill, Cooperation Minister S T Somashekhar said Karnataka had 3.71 lakh cooperative societies of which 6,807 were run by minorities. The Bill will not only help regulate societies but also safeguard the interests of its members and general public.

The government has introduced an amendment to Section 27A of the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, with which a provision will be made to appoint administrators for all societies - minority or otherwise - that do not hold annual general meetings, whose term of the governing body has ended or where irregularities have been found.

“The Wakf Act is silent on societies holding annual general meetings and elections. If any society fails, there'll be power to take action under Section 27,” Somashekhar added.

The Bill will now go to the Legislative Council. Once passed in both Houses, the Bill will be sent to the President of India for assent, Somashekhar said.

According to the Bill’s statement of objects and reasons, the amendment draws on the High Court’s decision in 1987 striking down Section 27A as being violative of Article 30(1) of the Constitution.

The Karnataka Inland Water Transport Board (Amendment) Bill was also passed amid the din without any debate.