16Power to direct amalgamation, division and reorganisation in public interest etc

(1) Where the Registrar is satisfied that it is essential in the public interest, or in the interest of the co-operative movement, or for the purpose of securing the proper management of any co-operative society that two or more co-operative societies should be amalgamated or any co-operative society should be divided to form two or more co-operative societies or should be reorganised, then, notwithstanding anything contained in section 15, but subject to the provisions of this section, the Registrar may, by order, provide for the amalgamation, division or reorganisation of these co-operative societies into a single society or into societies with such constitution, property rights, interests and authorities and such liabilities, duties and obligations as may be specified in the order:

Provided that no such order of amalgamation, division or reorganisation in respect of a co-operative bank shall be made without the previous sanction in writing of the Reserve Bank.

(2) No order shall be made under this section, unless--

(a) a copy of the proposed order has been sent in draft to the co-operative society or each of the co-operative societies concerned; and

(b) the Registrar has considered and made such modifications in the draft order as may seem to him desirable in the light of any suggestions and objections which may be received by him within such period (not being less than two months from the date on which a copy of the order aforesaid is received by the society or societies, as the case may be), as the Registrar may fix in that behalf, either from the society or from any of the societies concerned or from any member or class of members thereof or from any creditor or class of creditors thereof.

(3) The order referred to in sub-section (1) may contain such incidental, consequential and supplemental provisions as may, in the opinion of the Registrar, be necessary to give effect to the amalgamation, division or reorganisation, as the case may be.

(4) Every member or creditor of each of the co-operative societies to be amalgamated, divided or reorganised, who has objected to the scheme of amalgamation, division or reorganisation, within the period specified, shall be entitled to receive, on the issue of the order of amalgamation, division or reorganisation, his share or interest, if he be a member, and the amount in satisfaction of his dues, if he be a creditor.

(5) On the issue of an order under sub-section (1), the provisions of sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of section 19 shall apply to the co-operative societies so amalgamated, divided or reorganised as if the amalgamation, division or reorganisation had been made under section 15.