CITIZEN CHARTER  

CHAPTER-1

COOPERATIVE DEPARTMENT

                            The Cooperative Movement in India started with Cooperative Credit Societies Act 10 of 1904. The agricultural cooperative credit societies were registered under this Act. As this Act did not provide organization of non-credit cooperative societies such as marketing and consumer societies, it was replaced with Cooperative Societies Act of 1912. This Act envisaged promotion of thrift and self help among the agriculturists, artisans who were the persons of limited means and organization of federal and non-credit cooperative societies. After formation of the State of Andhra Pradesh as a result of re-organization of States, the A.P. Cooperative Societies Act VII of 1964 was enacted to meet the requirements of different classes of societies which were felt necessary to promote the economic interest of persons with limited means. This Act came into force from 01-08-1964 as per G.O.Ms.No.1924, Food & Agriculture Department, dated 25-07-1964.

            The Department of Cooperation, Government of Andhra Pradesh has had played a profound role in the past 45 years of Andhra Pradesh Statehood, in shaping the functioning of the Cooperative Societies in the State, though the Cooperatives are autonomous institutions with legal status. In the emerging environment, the policy of the Government has been to regulate and not to control and direct the Cooperative Societies through the enactment of Legislation. Creating a conducive climate for growth of Cooperatives is another avowed policy of the present day Government. There are two Acts in existence pertaining to the regulation of the Cooperatives – one is the old Act , i.e., A.P. Cooperative Societies Act VII of 1964, the prohibitions of which are considered necessary for such cooperatives which have depended on the support from the Govt. and consequential intervention in the governance. However even this Act has been substantially amended in the year 2001, duly aiming at promoting the cooperatives in accordance with the principles of cooperation and at reducing the Government control to some extent. The second Act is A.P. Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies (MACS) Act of 1995, which aims at promoting self-reliant, responsible, accountable and autonomous Cooperative Societies with their own bye-laws, which would make the Cooperative Movement more vibrant.Though it is the Cooperatives with which their members have interaction for better services and benefits, the Department of Cooperation recognizes the rights of the Members-cum-Service Users of these Cooperatives for freedom from disputes with their own Cooperatives and freedom of access to information. The Department also recognizes the rights of the Cooperatives as such for services spelled in the Acts  for their efficient functioning in the process of realizing their goals. Following are some of the Rights of the Members/Cooperative Societies, that entitle them to the promised services by the Department of Cooperation.

                         1. No discrimination will be made based on their political affiliation if any, or authority in the affairs of the society, in the matter of dispensation of services sought.

                          2. No member or society will be subjected to arbitrary decision by the officials while rendering particular services.

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