A special scrutiny drive will soon start on all registered cooperative societies, with the exception of housing societies, to see if they are functioning properly, as per a circular issued by the commissioner of Cooperation on August 1. Experts have welcomed the month-long drive, which will start from August 15, saying that this will help weed out defunct cooperative societies and bring transparency and good governance in the sector.

A total of 1,98,786 cooperative societies, including housing societies, are registered in Maharashtra and these societies must function in accordance with the provisions of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960 and the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Rules, 1961.