Section 15 of the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 - Address of Societies

Section 15 requires every society registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 to maintain a registered address for receiving notices and communications and to notify the Registrar whenever that address changes.

Text of Section 15 - Address of Societies

Meaning and Purpose of Section 15

The provision creates a simple but important statutory requirement. A registered society must have an official address recorded in accordance with the applicable rules. That address serves as the place to which notices and communications concerning the society may be sent.

If the society changes its registered address, it must send notice of the change to the Registrar. The purpose is to keep the official registration record current and to provide a reliable address for statutory and administrative communications.

Key Requirements Under Section 15

Section 15 contains three connected requirements: the society must maintain an address; the address must be registered in accordance with the applicable rules; and every change of that address must be notified to the Registrar.

Registered society

Under Section 2(e) of the Act, a "registered society" means a society registered or deemed to be registered under the Act. Section 15 therefore applies to a society falling within that statutory definition.

Registrar

Section 2(f) defines the "Registrar" as a person appointed to perform the duties of a Registrar of Co-operative Societies under the Act. Section 3 provides for appointment of the Registrar by the State Government and for persons who may assist the Registrar.

Rules

Section 2(g) defines "rules" as rules made under the Act. Accordingly, the procedural requirements for registering an address or reporting a change should be read with the rules and other law applicable in the relevant State or Union Territory.

Practical Effect of a Change of Address

A society changing its office or correspondence address should ensure that the change is communicated to the Registrar in the manner required by the applicable rules. Internal changes alone do not satisfy the express requirement in Section 15 to send notice of every change to the Registrar.

Official Source

For the official Central Act text, amendments and territorial notes, refer to India Code.