16Liability

(1) No multi-State co-operative society with unlimited liability shall be registered after the commencement of this Act:

Provided that where a multi-State co-operative society with unlimited liability was functioning before the commencement of this Act, such a society shall exercise the option within a period of one year from such commencement either to continue to function as such or to convert itself into a multi-State cooperative society with limited liability by following the procedure specified in sub-sections (2) to (4).

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules, a multi-State co-operative society may, by an amendment of its bye-laws, change the extent of its liability.

(3) When a multi-State co-operative society has passed a resolution to change the extent of its liability, it shall give notice thereof in writing to all its members and creditors, and, notwithstanding anything contained in the bye-laws or contract to the contrary, any member or creditor shall, during the period of one month from the date of service of the notice upon him, have the option of withdrawing his shares, deposits or loans, as the case may be.

(4) Any member or creditor who does not exercise his option within the period specified in subsection (3) shall be deemed to have assented to the change.

(5) An amendment of a bye-law of a multi-State co-operative society changing the extent of its liability shall not be registered or shall not take effect until either--

(a) the assent thereto of all members and creditors has been obtained; or

(b) all claims of members and creditors who exercise the option referred to in sub-section (3) within the period specified therein have been met in full or otherwise satisfied.