Facilitation of Effective Cooperative Legislation in Selected Countries of Asia- A Study Report

Abstract

Cooperative Laws are the main instrument in the Asian countries, which influence & determine, to a great extent, the complexion of Cooperatives. They also reflect the approach and outlook of the State towards Cooperatives and the nature of relationship between the two. namely Government and the Cooperatives. Law is also an instrument of education of people, for what is incorporated in law is taken to be true. Hence Cooperative Laws, which deal primarily with peoples welfare and aspirations ought to be formulated with greater care and caution. Cooperative Law in most countries of Asia was initiated by the colonial rulers who had found in Cooperatives a useful agency to provide relief to farmers and workers. While the colonial rulers did want to extend relief to the weaker section of the society, to overcome discontentment, they did not want cooperatives to become a ground of people’s aspirations and possible development of political leadership. Thus, they gave autonomy in the operations and working of the cooperatives, ensured that the cooperative leadership were honest, sincere, efficient, commanded respect within the society, but at the same time, they also ensured that the office-bearers were politically loyal to the government. This was achieved through the agency of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies who was usually a senior, efficient bureaucrat and known as friend, philosopher and guide.