The Department of Co-operation is an administrative department of the Government of Kerala, responsible for the development, regulation, and supervision of the co-operative sector in the state. The department oversees all registered co-operative societies, including co-operative banks, credit societies, marketing societies, and sector-specific cooperative institutions.[1][2][3]
The department ensures implementation of cooperative policies, facilitates financial assistance, regulates registration of societies, and enforces the provisions of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969. It plays a significant role in rural development, agricultural credit, and the cooperative banking structure in Kerala.
The administrative head of the department is the Special Secretary to Government (Co-operation), an IAS officer. The Secretary oversees policy formulation, administrative decisions, and coordination with field agencies.
The operational authority for co-operative administration and regulation lies with the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, who is responsible for supervision of all registered cooperative societies in the state.[5] The current Registrar of Co-operative Societies is Dr. D.Sajith Babu IAS.[6]
Functional Structure
Registrar of Co-operative Societies (RCS)
The Registrar of Co-operative Societies exercises statutory powers for:
Registration and regulation of co-operative societies.
Conduct of elections to society governing bodies.
Audit and inspection of co-operative institutions.
Supervision and enforcement under the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969 and Rules, 1969.
District-level cooperative administration is carried out by District Co-operative Officers, Joint Registrars, and Assistant Registrars.
Functions
The major functions of the Department include:
Registration, supervision, and inspection of co-operative societies.[7]
Promotion and development of co-operative institutions across various sectors (agriculture, dairy, banking, consumer, housing, etc.).
Implementation of cooperative development policies and welfare schemes.
Ensuring transparency and accountability in co-operative institutions.
Financial support and credit facilitation through cooperative banks and apex agencies.
Subordinate Institutions
Directorates / Field Offices
Office of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies (RCS)
District Co-operative Offices (14 districts)
Apex and Allied Institutions
The organisations under the Co-operative Department are classified into:
Apex co-operative institutions under the administrative control of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies
Apex institutions under Functional Registrars (sector-specific co-operative institutions)
Other Regional and State-wide co-operative institutions
Apex Institutions under the Administrative Control of Registrar of Co-operative Societies
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