422 cooperatives dissolved for remaining non-functional in J&K

379 from Kashmir, 43 from Jammu

SRINAGAR: As many as 422 Cooperatives from Jammu and Kashmir have been dissolved by the government for remaining non-functional for more than two years.
Out of the 422 defunct cooperatives, 77 are from Shopian, 52 are from Kulgam, 158 are from Budgam, 92 are from Anantnag, 6 are from Kishtwar, 8 from Reasi, 5 are from Samba and 24 from Poonch.
The Jammu and Kashmir Self Reliant Cooperative Act, 1999 herein after called as Act, has been in force since 1999.
Whereas, a sizeable number of Cooperatives in different disciplines/categories have been accorded registrations so far under the Act and, it is obligatory upon the registered Cooperatives to commence their business within two years or consecutive two years after the date of registration as specified under Section 52 (1) (a) (b) of the Act.
Whereas, Section 46 of the Act mandates all such Cooperatives to file Annual Returns within 30 days from holding of General Body Meeting, with the office of Registrar Cooperative Societies Jammu and Kashmir.
An order in this regard has been issued by Shafqat Iqbal, Registrar Cooperative Societies, Jammu and Kashmir.
The attention of all such Cooperatives has time and again been drawn towards the legal mandates regarding filing of Annual Returns through the medium of various communications, circular instructions and notices published through dailies of Jammu and Kashmir.
A few Cooperatives responded and filled their returns though not strictly as per Section 46 of the Act; and Whereas, in the non-submission of the Annual Returns there is no reason to believe that such Cooperatives have commenced their business and are as such existing on the register of Cooperatives alone.
Whereas, the failure to file the Returns is an offence under Sub-Section 3 of Section 46 of the J&K Self Reliant Cooperative Act, 1999; and there is reasonable cause to believe that majority of such Cooperatives have not commenced their business and as such have not acquired any assets or incurred liabilities.
“Whereas, a notice for revival/winding up of defunct Cooperative Societies/ Cooperatives was also issued vide communication No.RCS/SS/G-S7-1/782-810 dated 02-08-2021, published through the dailies of Jammu and Kashmir but no response was received thereof.
These Cooperatives have remained piled up as non-functional/defunct on the database portraying a poor image of the department. Whereas, the field reports for dissolution of such non-existent/defunct cooperative have also been sought from the Additional Registrar Cooperative Societies Jammu/Kashmir vide communication No.RCS/SS/Gen-26-856-80 dated; 21-07-2022, the order reads.
Whereas the Additional Registrar Cooperative Societies Jammu/Kashmir vide their communications have also furnished the details of such non-existent/dysfunctional Cooperatives in addition to those Cooperatives which have not commenced their business after registration and have no chance of revival thereof, it added.
The order further said, “In view of the above, it is felt expedient to initiate necessary legal action against these Cooperatives under Section 52 of the Jammu and Kashmir Self Reliant Cooperative Act, 1999 by dissolving them and striking their names from the register of Cooperatives”. ,
Now, therefore, I Shafqat Iqbal, Registrar Cooperative Societies J&K, in the exercise of the powers vested in me under Section 52 of the Jammu and Kashmir Self Reliant Cooperative Act, 1999 dissolve such defunct/non-functional Cooperatives as indicated and strike off their names from the register of Cooperatives, the order reads.