Right of a member to get information
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
Article 243ZO (Right of a member to get information): Protects democratic management, elections, and transparency of Co-operative Societies under Part IX-B (97th Amendment).
In Simple Citizen Words
Article 243ZO ('Right of a member to get information') is part of Part IX-B (The Co-operative Societies, inserted by the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011). It safeguards autonomous, member-driven co-operative societies (housing societies, dairy/agricultural co-operatives, credit societies) by regulating board elections, 5-year terms, annual general meetings, independent financial audits, and every member's right to inspect society accounts and records. Specifically: (1) The Legislature of a State may, by law, provide for access to every member of a co-operative society to the books, information and accounts of the cooperative society kept in regular transaction of its business with such members. (2)...
Key Constitutional Provisions
Constitutional Mandate (Art. 243ZO): Directly codifies the legal rule for 'Right of a member to get information' under Part IX-B
Structured across 3 clause(s) with clear procedural conditions
Any administrative or legislative action violating Article 243ZO can be challenged before the High Court (Art. 226) or Supreme Court
Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions
In Union of India v. Rajendra N. Shah (2021), the Supreme Court upheld Part IX-B for Multi-State Co-operative Societies while ruling that State co-operatives fall under State legislative ratification.
Why This Matters in Daily Life
Protects millions of farmers, milk producers, flat owners in housing societies, and small depositors from board mismanagement and financial fraud.
Want deeper legal & historical context? Explore the official Bare Act or Supreme Court Precedents & CAD Debates: