Adoption of Societies Introduced; Computerisation to be Fast-Tracked; Audit and Quasi-Judicial Accountability Emphasised
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
On the directions of the CM, a State-Level Review Meeting of the Department of Cooperation was convened today under the chairmanship of Girish Dayalan, IAS, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Punjab. The meeting was attended by Chief Auditor Cooperative Societies, Joint Registrars, Deputy Registrars, and senior officials from across the State. The Registrar underscored the need for time-bound, target-oriented functioning and individual accountability for field-level outcomes. It was also announced that such review meetings would henceforth be held on the 1st of every month without fail.
A major initiative introduced during the meeting was the adoption of loss-making or underperforming cooperative societies by field officers. Under this new framework, all Inspectors will be assigned a society near their place of posting to adopt and support the 800 odd societies without a Secretary. In addition, each Joint Registrar will adopt at least one society, Deputy Registrars two, and Assistant Registrars three. Officers will be expected to ensure regular engagement, handholding, and performance monitoring of their adopted societies. This move aims to bring in direct ownership and create visible improvement on the ground.
Reviewing the status of PACS computerisation, the Registrar issued clear instructions to fast-track the project through daily monitoring. Five Additional Registrars have been given district-wise supervisory charge, while Additional Registrar (Headquarters) will oversee coordination and submit weekly progress reports. The appointment of district-level nodal officers has been made mandatory, and any resistance or obstruction in the computerisation process will attract strict disciplinary consequences. The Registrar reiterated that full digital transition of cooperative societies is critical to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and financial discipline.
The meeting also focused on strengthening audit accountability. All field officers have been directed to ensure 100 percent compliance of audit observations within stipulated timelines. It was categorically stated that post-facto “Special Reports” to justify audit lapses would no longer be accepted. Officers who had previously issued clean reports where fraud was later discovered would be held liable for disciplinary action.
A comprehensive review mechanism was also put in place for quasi-judicial proceedings and court cases. It was directed that all certified copies of orders must be issued within seven days of pronouncement, and weekly review of pending matters be undertaken by Deputy Registrars. Any orders passed with mala fide intent or jurisdictional overreach would be examined at the administrative level, and appropriate disciplinary action taken.
The Registrar also highlighted the issue of staffing gaps in PACS and directed the rationalisation of secretary postings, with clear weekly schedules and proposed support for travel reimbursements. Fertilizer indents too are to be made based on real-time data on PACS membership and landholding, with defunct societies formally linked to functional ones to ensure fair allocation. All DRs have been tasked with submitting complete district-level data within a week.
As part of wider governance reforms, the Registrar reiterated the mandatory use of eOffice and official punjab.gov.in email accounts for all correspondence. Physical dispatches are to be discouraged. All field officers have also been directed to hold monthly meetings with cooperative societies under their jurisdiction and submit properly recorded proceedings to the headquarters.
In light of the International Year of Cooperatives, the Registrar underscored the need for proactive and field-based engagement by all officers to ensure that cooperative societies not only survive but thrive, contributing significantly to rural development and economic empowerment.
The next State-Level Review Meeting will be held on September 2, 2025.