The Hindu Business Line : Autonomy for cooperative bodies on the anvil

NEW DELHI: Cooperative societies will get more professional autonomy and democratic control through changes in the Constitution Amendment Bill pending in the Lok Sabha.

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved certain amendments in the Constitution (106th) Amendment Bill, 2006, pending in the Lok Sabha, which will provide for autonomous function of the cooperatives. The amendments also provide for “free and fair elections to be conducted by an independent body'', Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

A provision would also be made for auditing by independent parties or by firms selected by the State or the central government, Mr Sibal said.

One scheduled caste and two women representatives would be included as directors in the cooperative societies. That apart, the Cabinet has also approved two memoranda of understanding with Canada and Botswana for co-operation in the agriculture and alli ed sectors.

The MoU with Canada, valid for five years, seeks to promote bilateral cooperation on emerging technologies, agricultural marketing and animal development. The MoU with Botswana is aimed at boosting cooperation through joint activities and exchange of sc ientific delegations and experts. - PTI

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