Rajasthan High Court Extends Time Period To Hold Elections Of Various Co-Operative Societies In State Up To September 30

The Rajasthan High Court on Friday extended the time period for holding elections of various cooperative societies —Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) and Large Agro Multi-Purpose Societies (LAMPS), till September 30.

The single judge bench of Justice Dinesh Mehta said that since the process of elections has now been commenced, the court deems it appropriate to extend the time period for holding elections.

Earlier, the High Court on March 15 directed the State to hold elections of the societies within a period of six months.

However, the State preferred the present miscellaneous application for further extension stating that despite all efforts, the elections could not be held within the stipulated period of six months as number of societies was large and work of preparation of voter lists and other miscellaneous work could not be completed, which got further prolonged on account of spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional Advocate General, Sudhir Tak submitted that the process of election of the societies has been started in all the Divisions and an action plan for constitution of ward in various divisions was published according to which the elections have been notified for various societies by the order of the State Government dated July 31, 2022.

It was further submitted that as per the plan, the elections of the societies were to be held in five stages which would have been completed by September 29, 2022 but for unavoidable circumstances, the same could not be completed.

He further said that once elections of PACS & LAMPS are held District wise, the elections of apex societies will be held, as the members of District level are elected from the elected members of Primary Level Cooperative Societies.

The court after perusing the record, accepted the reasons given by the State for not holding the elections within the stipulated period of six month and extended the time period.

Case Title: State of Rajasthan & Ors. v. Kuldeep Singh

Coram: Justice Dinesh Mehta

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