One Hundred Years: Co-operative Credit Societies Act in India – A Unique Experience of Legal Social Engineering

Abstract

This paper traces the origins of a worldwide model of state-sponsored co-operation, which was introduced by the British in India in 1904 and became a standard pattern of co- operative legislation in all former British colonies and in the Commonwealth. The author analyses the elements of this model of guided self-help and shows how originally temporary and largely educational government support for co-operative development turned into a rigid system of government control, in which the Registrars of Co-operative Societies or Commissioners for Co-operative Development play a key role. The transition of legislation for state-sponsorship of co-operative development to state- control is described by using provisions regarding formation of societies, by-laws, organisation and management, financing and audit as examples. In conclusion it is underlined that social legal engineering can be successful if applied by suitably qualified and motivated promoters.