MLA in Rajasthan can now hold chairperson offices in cooperative society

The Rajasthan Assembly passed a bill Wednesday that allows a member of the state legislature to get elected and held the office of a Chairperson or a Vice-Chairperson of a cooperative society. The Rajasthan Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by the House by voice vote.

The Rajasthan government had promulgated an ordinance on December 26, 2018, and a bill replacing it was passed in the assembly Wednesday. Replying on the bill, state Cooperative Minister Udai Lal Anjana said the Rajasthan Cooperative Societies Act, 2001 restricted a person to hold both the offices of a Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson of a committee of a cooperative society and a member of the state legislature.

The government has decided to amend the Act to remove the said restriction, Anjana said. Opposition members demanded to refer the bill to the select committee for review, which was turned down by the Chair.