Sections 106 and 106A explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
The 2023 Amendment Act replaced the old s.106 with two sections. Section 106 now requires every multi-State co-operative society to appoint a Co-operative Information Officer who gives information to members within thirty days or rejects the application with reasons, with an appeal to the Co-operative Ombudsman. Section 106A requires the Chief Executive to keep the rules, bye-laws and list of members open to inspection without charge.
This article follows the Ministry of Cooperation copy of the Act read with the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023, whose section 39 substituted these sections. The 2023 Act came into force on 3 August 2023 (notification S.O. 3493(E)).
Every society must appoint a Co-operative Information Officer to provide information on its affairs and management to members, confined to the disclosure norms in its bye-laws. A member applies with a prescribed fee; the Officer must provide the information or reject the application with reasons within thirty days. A member whose application is rejected may appeal to the Co-operative Ombudsman within one month, whose decision is final and binding. The Chief Executive must keep rules, bye-laws and the member list open to inspection without charge at reasonable times at the registered address.
Section 106(1): the Co-operative Information Officer
"Every multi-State co-operative society shall appoint a Co-operative Information Officer to provide the information relating to affairs and management of the society to the members of the society and such information shall be confined to the information falling under the disclosure norms specified by the society in its bye-laws."
Three points. The duty is on every multi-State co-operative society. The users are the society's members. And the information is "confined to the information falling under the disclosure norms specified by the society in its bye-laws". The Act does not itself list the norms; they are in the bye-laws of each society. A society that has not framed disclosure norms in its bye-laws should look at its bye-laws with advice, and legal consultation is the usual starting point.
Section 106(2): the application and the fee
"Any member of multi-State co-operative society shall make an application, accompanying such fee as may be prescribed, to get information specified in sub-section (1)." The fee is left to rules. The rule-making power is s.124(2)(wb), which speaks of "the manner to make an application with such fee for the purpose of getting information under sub-section (2) of section 106". The amount and manner are not given; the Rules, 2002 as amended should be checked. This article states no fee.
Section 106(3): thirty days
"The Co-operative Information Officer shall, within thirty days from the date of receipt of application, either provide the information or reject the application specifying the reason to do so." There are two outcomes only: provide or reject with reasons. The sub-section does not provide for a deemed outcome if thirty days pass in silence.
Section 106(4): appeal to the Ombudsman
"Any member of the multi-State co-operative society whose application has been rejected may prefer an appeal to the Co-operative Ombudsman within a period of one month from the date of such rejection and his decision shall be final and binding." Our article on the Co-operative Ombudsman under s.85A explains how the Ombudsman is appointed. The text of s.106(4) gives no power to extend the one month. The sources do not say whether, or when, any Ombudsman has been appointed, and this article asserts nothing on that.
Example. Salma, a member of the invented Pennar Multi-State Housing Society, applies to the Co-operative Information Officer for details of loans given to directors. The bye-laws disclosure norms do not cover director loans, so the Officer rejects the application, giving the reason. Salma may appeal to the Co-operative Ombudsman within one month of the rejection.
Section 106A: copies of rules, bye-laws and member list
"Every Chief Executive of multi-State co-operative society shall keep a copy of the rules and its bye-laws and also a list of its members, open to inspection without charge at all reasonable times, at the registered address of the multi-State co-operative society." The marginal heading reads "Copy of rules and bye-laws, etc., for inspection". Differences from the old section: the duty now rests on the Chief Executive and not on the society as such; "inspection" is of the rules, bye-laws and member list, as before. The section does not say who may inspect: it says "open to inspection" and does not limit this to members. The sections are separate. Section 106 is about information through an officer, with a fee, a time limit and an appeal. Section 106A is about inspecting documents at the registered address.
| Feature | s.106 | s.106A |
|---|---|---|
| Duty-holder | The society, through a Co-operative Information Officer | The Chief Executive |
| Who benefits | Members | Not limited in the text |
| What | Information within the bye-laws' disclosure norms | Rules, bye-laws and list of members |
| Charge | Fee as prescribed | Without charge |
| Time | Thirty days to reply | At all reasonable times |
| Remedy | Appeal to the Co-operative Ombudsman within one month | None printed |
The registers and inspection rights in s.107 are separate; see our article on registers, returns and annual accounts.
What the 2023 Amendment Act changed
| Provision | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| s.106 | Single section: every society to keep a copy of the rules, bye-laws and member list open to inspection without charge | Substituted by s.106 (Co-operative Information Officer) and s.106A (inspection) |
| s.106A | Not present | The Chief Executive keeps rules, bye-laws and list of members open to inspection without charge |
Need help with information rights or bye-law disclosure norms?
The practical question for a society is what its bye-laws say about disclosure; for a member it is whether a rejection is valid and whether to appeal within one month. Our team can read the bye-laws and the rejection with you through legal consultation.
Key takeaways
- Every multi-State co-operative society must appoint a Co-operative Information Officer.
- Information is confined to the disclosure norms in the society's bye-laws.
- A member applies with a prescribed fee; reply or rejection with reasons is due within thirty days.
- Appeal against rejection lies to the Co-operative Ombudsman within one month.
- The Chief Executive must keep rules, bye-laws and the member list open to inspection without charge.
Read next
- Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002: complete guide
- Section 85A: Co-operative Ombudsman, complaints and appeal
- Sections 107 and 109: registers, returns and annual accounts
- Sections 110 to 113: minutes of general and board meetings
Disclaimer: Based on the Ministry of Cooperation copy of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 read with the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023 (in force from 3 August 2023), as consulted on 2 October 2026. The Multi-State Co-operative Societies Rules, 2002 as amended, later notifications and later amendments are not covered and should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.