What is ‘Cooperation’?
According to economic historian, Charles Guide “Cooperation is self-help and each for all (mutual-aid)”. Self-help means the pride of supplying one’s own needs by one’s own resources. of being one’s own merchant banker, money lender and employer. “Each for all”, means to seek liberation, not only for oneself but for and through others”. The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), at its Manchester Congress held in September, 1995 adopted a Statement on Cooperative Identity. The Statement included the definition of Cooperation is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common, economic, social and cultural/needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-controlled enterprise”.
What are the Principles of cooperation?
Cooperative Principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.
The Cooperative principles are:
- Voluntary and open membership
- Democratic member Control
- Member economic participation
- Autonomy and Independence
- Education, Training and information
- Cooperation among Cooperatives
- Concern for community
What are the origins of cooperative movement in India?
During the British Rule in India, Nicholson a British Officer in Indian suggested ‘Find Raiffersen in India’, i.e. introduce Raiffersen model of German agricultural credit Cooperatives in India. As a follow-up of that recommendation, the firs Cooperatives Society Act of 1904 was enacted to enable formation of “agricultural credit cooperatives” in villages in India under Government sponsorship. With the enactment of 1904 Act. Cooperatives were to get a direct legal identity as every agricultural Cooperative was to be registered under that Act only. The 1904 Cooperative Societies Act, was repealed by 1912 Cooperative Societies Act which provided for formation of Cooperative societies other than credit. Under 1919 Administrative Reforms, Cooperatives was made a provincial subject making each province responsible for Cooperative development.
In 1942, the Government of India enacted the Multi-Unit Cooperative Societies Act, 1942 with an object to cover societies whose operations are extended to more than one state. Armed with an experience of 42 years in the working of Multi Unit Cooperative Societies and the Multi-Unit Cooperative Societies Act, 1942 with an object to cover societies whose operations are extended to more than one state. Armed with an experience of 42 years in the working of Multi Unit Cooperative Societies and the Multi-Unit Cooperative Societies and the Multi-Unit Cooperative Societies Act, 1942,the Central Government enacted a comprehensive Act known as Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984, repealing the Act of 1942.
Based on the recommendation of the Mirdha Committee and the “Model Cooperative Societies Act”. This Government of India enacted the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 which provided for democratic and autonomous working of the Cooperatives. The Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 came into force with effect from August 19, 2002.
Which are the institutions working for the development of cooperative movement in india?
National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) are the important agencies working for promotion of cooperative movement in India.
What are the steps/check list for forming a cooperative society?
Steps involved for forming a Cooperative Society under a state act:
- Prescribed application duly filled in shall be made to the Registrar of Cooperative societies;
- the application shall be accompanied by four copies of the proposed Bye-laws of the society;
- Where all the applicants are individuals, the number of applicants shall not be less than ten;
- the application shall be signed by every one of such applicants if the applicants are individuals;
- if the applicant is a society, by a member duly authorised by such society;