**Executive Summary**
The Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) convened a meeting on January 19, 2026, with Multi-State Cooperative Societies of Railway Employees to facilitate the alignment of their bye-laws with the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023. The meeting included discussions on amending bye-laws, forming representative General Bodies, electing delegates, submitting election proposals six months before the Board's tenure ends, and maintaining functional websites. The CEA has successfully conducted 220 elections, with 70 more underway. The need for societies to amend bye-laws in conformity with the amended MSCS Act, 2023 was emphasised.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Meeting Overview:**
* The Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) held a meeting with representatives from 16 Multi-State Cooperative Societies of Railway Employees.
* The purpose was to facilitate alignment of society bye-laws with the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023.
* Discussions included the constitution of representative General Bodies, election of delegates, and maintenance of functional websites.
* **CEA Mandate and Activities:**
* The CEA's role, established following amendments to the MSCS Act in 2023, includes preparing electoral rolls and conducting free, fair, and transparent elections.
* The CEA has already conducted 220 elections, with 70 currently in progress.
* The CEA has taken institutional measures such as preparing manuals for Returning Officers, guidelines for approvals, a handbook for voter list preparation, a Model Code of Conduct, and guidelines for election expenditure returns.
* **Railway Employee Cooperative Societies:**
* There are approximately 18 Multi-State Cooperative Societies of Railway Employees, comprising 8 to 10 lakh members.
* These societies accept deposits, extend loans at concessional rates, and handle deposits and loans estimated at ₹10,000 crore.
* Four of these societies also hold banking licenses.
* The Cooperative Election Authority has already conducted elections for five Railway Employees' Cooperative Societies.
* **Amendment of Bye-Laws:**
* There is an urgent need for societies to amend their bye-laws in conformity with the amended MSCS Act, 2023.
* **Election Proposals**
* Timely submission of proposals for conduct of elections – at least six months prior to completion of the tenure of the Board of the Society.
**Impact Analysis**
**Multi-State Cooperative Societies of Railway Employees**
* **Impact:** Must align their bye-laws with the amended MSCS Act, 2023.
* **Action Required:** Amend bye-laws, constitute representative General Bodies, elect delegates, submit election proposals six months before the Board's tenure ends and maintain functional websites.
**Cooperative Election Authority (CEA)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections and providing guidance and resources to cooperative societies.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing institutional measures to strengthen the election process and provide ongoing support to cooperative societies.
Key Entities Referenced
Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023: Act requiring alignment of bye-laws of Multi-State Cooperative Societies
Cooperative Election Authority (CEA): Authority responsible for conducting elections in Multi-State Cooperative Societies
Ministry of Cooperation: Ministry involved in discussions regarding MSCS Act
Multi-State Cooperative Societies of Railway Employees: Societies whose bye-laws are being aligned with the amended MSCS Act
Ministry of Cooperation
Cooperative Election Authority holds consultative
meeting with Multi-State Railway Employees’
Cooperative Societies to align Bye-Laws with
MSCS (Amendment) Act, 2023
CEA has successfully conducted 220 elections; 70 elections
currently underway
प्रव तथ: 19 JAN 2026 4:15PM by PIB Delhi
The Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) convened a meeting with representatives of Multi-State
Cooperative Societies of Railway Employees on 19 January 2026, with the objective of facilitating
alignment of their bye-laws with the provisions of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment)
Act, 2023. The meeting was attended by representatives of 16 Multi-State Cooperative Societies of
Railway Employees, with participation of over 40 office bearers, including Chairpersons and Chief
Executives of the respective societies.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Devendra Kumar Singh, Chairperson, Cooperative Election Authority,
outlined the mandate and role of the CEA, which was established following the amendments to the Multi-
State Cooperative Societies Act in 2023. He highlighted that the Authority has been entrusted with the
responsibility of preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections in Multi-
State Cooperative Societies. Shri Singh informed that CEA has successfully conducted 220 elections so
far, while 70 elections are currently in progress across the country.
There are about 18 Multi-State Cooperative Societies of Railway Employees, collectively comprising
approximately 8 to 10 lakh Railway employees as members. These societies are primarily engaged in
accepting deposits and extending loans to their members at concessional rates. The volume of deposits and
loans handled by these societies is estimated at around ₹10,000 crore. Out of these, four societies also
hold banking licences.
Since its inception, the Cooperative Election Authority has already conducted elections for five Railway
Employees’ Cooperative Societies viz. The Jackson Cooperative Credit Society of the Employees of
Western Railway Limited, Mumbai, SE, SEC & E. Co. Railways Employees’ Cooperative Credit Society
Limited, Kolkata, The N.E. & E.C. Railway Employees Multi-State Primary Cooperative Bank Limited,
Gorakhpur, The Railway Shramik Sahakari Bank Limited, Bikaner, The Eastern Railway Employees
Cooperative Bank, Kolkata
The meeting focused on facilitating alignment of society bye-laws with the amended MSCS Act, 2023,
discussion on constitution of representative General Bodies and election of delegates, timely submission
of proposals for conduct of elections—at least six months prior to completion of the tenure of the Board of
the Society—and the maintenance of functional websites to enhance transparency.To further strengthen the conduct of elections, the Cooperative Election Authority has undertaken several
institutional measures, including preparation of Manuals for Returning Officers, guidelines for prior
approval of Boards of Directors and Office Bearers, Handbook on preparation of voters’ lists, Model Code
of Conduct, and guidelines on submission of election expenditure returns by candidates, among others.
The Chairperson also shared insights and experiences from elections conducted by CEA in various
Railway Employees’ Cooperative Societies.
Shri R.K. Gupta, Vice-Chairperson, Cooperative Election Authority, made a detailed presentation on the
role of CEA, challenges faced in the conduct of elections, and the steps taken by the Authority to ensure
free, fair, and transparent electoral processes.
Shri Anand Kumar Jha, Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies, and Ms. Monika Khanna, Member,
Cooperative Election Authority, emphasized the urgent need for societies to amend their bye-laws in
conformity with the amended MSCS Act, 2023, to enable timely and smooth conduct of elections.
Shri S.K. Roy, Deputy Director (Establishment), Ministry of Railways, also attended the meeting. Other
senior officials present included Shri Mukesh Kumar, Economic Advisor, and Ms. Renu Shekhawat, Joint
Director, from the Ministry of Cooperation.
The participants appreciated the proactive steps taken by the Cooperative Election Authority and
suggested that such consultative interactions be held on a regular basis to further strengthen democratic
governance in cooperative institutions.
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AK
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