The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, August 28
In order to maximize participation, reduce costs, and ensure timely conduct of proceedings, the Registrar Cooperative Societies (RCS) Girish Dayalan has issued directions permitting the use of Video Conferencing (VC) for all meetings and proceedings of Cooperative Institutions across the State.
The step follows the successful use of VC mode by Union and State Governments as well as Constitutional Courts, and draws legal backing from the Information Technology Act, 2000, which accords recognition to electronic records and signatures.
The main features of the new guidelines will be that VC option will be available for all meetings. The notice for meetings of Boards, Committees, General Bodies/AGMs, and personal hearings shall include VC access details also.
Giving further details, the RCS said that the VC facility is an additional option and does not alter legal requirements regarding quorum, notice, or voting.The Roll-call, VC logs, and authenticated participant lists will ensure transparency.
Agendas may be circulated electronically; voting and decisions can be recorded through VC and thereafter confirmed in the minutes.
Dayalan also said that the Institutions may record VC proceedings (fully or in part) for internal record-keeping and where systems exist, personal hearings may also be conducted through VC, while court appearances will follow the respective forum’s rules.
He also clarified that Provisions of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961, the Rules, and institutional by-laws will continue to apply in full.
This initiative removes the financial and logistical burden of convening large gatherings, encourages broader participation—including from those unable to travel—and ensures compliance with statutory requirements.
The Registrar has directed all Apex Cooperative Institutions, Cooperative Banks/Societies (State, District, and Primary levels), authorities, and field formations to implement these directions with immediate effect.
