In its ninth report on the demand for grants (2025-26) for the Ministry of Cooperation, the Standing Committee recommended that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) be formulated for filing complaints, ensuring their disposal in a time-bound manner, and imposing penalties for filing false, baseless, or frivolous complaints.
Since there will be only one Cooperative Ombudsman, likely based in a single location, the Committee recommended that the SOP also include provisions for filing complaints online. This would ensure that members of Multi-State Cooperative Societies residing in remote areas are not deprived of the services and benefits provided by the Cooperative Ombudsman.
The Committee noted that a grievance redressal mechanism for cooperative societies had been long overdue and appreciated the Government’s initiative in establishing the office of the Cooperative Ombudsman. This office will handle complaints and appeals from members of Multi-State Cooperative Societies.
The Cooperative Ombudsman will adhere to the principles of natural justice when addressing complaints and will have the same powers as a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, including the authority to summon individuals and documents.
The Committee recommended that the Office of the Cooperative Ombudsman be established as soon as possible to ensure that complaints by or against members of Multi-State Cooperative Societies are addressed promptly, fairly, and equitably.
