Co-operatives in the new environments : role of the register of co-operative societies in South Asia (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)

The study is divided into seven parts including Part 1 - Introduction. Part 2 deals with Emerging Environments and Co-operatives. Part 3 covers Current Role, Functions and Responsibilities of the Registrar. Part 4 covers the Evidence from the Field and gives the actual position of the Registrar in three selected states in India. Part 5 focusses on the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Registrar. Part 6 discusses Challenges before Co-operatives Improving Competitive Advantages; and Part 7 suggests the Desired Role and Functions of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies in the Changing Context.

The study does not attempt to explain the evolution of the institution of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, nor the circumstances that contributed to the distortion of its role and position. Rather it limits itself to analysing the present role of the office of the Registrar, its strengths and weaknesses and to suggesting a framework for the repositioning of this office in the wake of structural adjustment programmes, gradual emergence of level-field conditions and competitive environments for co-operatives; and the imperatives of mobilising capital by co-operatives from their various stake-holders.

During the last few years, thanks to the meddlesome role of government functionaries and politicians and their below-par performance, co-operatives have lost much of their lustre and many of their adherents. The recently initiated processes of liberalisation and structural adjustment programmes now offer an opportunity to co-operatives to redeem the faith of their votaries. It is in this context that a new role and place for the Registrar is discussed here. But mere repositioning of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies or creation of a simpler, more co-operative-friendly legislative environment by themselves would not be sufficient to build self-reliance of co-operatives, or nurture their health. In order to become strong and counted in the market place, co-operatives will have to build innate strength and resilience. No external change can possibly obviate the need for co-operatives to dig their heels deep, stretch themselves to the full and bravely stand-up on their own strength in the emerging competitive environments.

The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) has already come out with a Statement of Co-operative Identity, which seeks to redefine and reposition co-operatives globally in the new environments. The Statement provides a broad basis to members, leaders and managers of co-operatives to craft appropriate strategies at the national, regional and local levels. However, it is equally important to create supportive state-induced regulatory environments and support structures which, while providing the needed succour, do not stifle and stunt the eventual emergence and growth of member-driven, member owned and member-governed co-operatives.

It is the purpose of this study to contribute to the on-going debate on how to accomplish a durable balance in relations between the newly positioned co operatives on the one hand, and the state and its various regulatory, promotional and developmental organs, on the other. In the past, the latter have often adversely impinged on the autonomy, management and operations of co operatives in South Asia much to the detriment of the former.