57. Co-operative Societies

Question 1

What are the constitutional dimensions of the Co-operative societies?

Answer 1

The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011 gave a constitutional status and protection to co-operative societies.

In this context, it made the following three changes in the constitution:

1. It made the right to form co-operative societies a fundamental right (Article 19)
2. It included a new Directive Principle of State Policy on promotion of co-operative societies (Article 43-B)
3. It added a new Part IX-B in the Constitution which is entitled “The Co-operative Societies” (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT).