Cooperative societies registered under state acts are not public authorities under RTI Act Section 2(h)

The Madras HC held that a cooperative society registered under the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act does not constitute a public authority under Section 2(h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Consequently, such cooperative societies are not obligated to provide information to citizens under the RTI Act. The court quashed the impugned order and allowed the writ petition, establishing that cooperative societies fall outside the RTI Act's ambit.

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Issues Involved:
The judgment involves a challenge to an order passed under the Right to Information Act, 2005 by the 1st respondent in S.A.No.6082/A/2022.

Details of the Judgment:

Issue 1: Applicability of Right to Information Act to Cooperative Societies
The petitioner, a society registered under the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act, argued that it is not a public authority u/s 2(h) of the RTI Act, as it is not a statutory body and does not perform any public function. Citing legal precedents, including the case of Thalappalam Services Cooperative Bank Ltd. v. State of Kerala, it was contended that cooperative societies are not bound by the RTI Act.

Issue 2: Request for Information and Appeals
The 4th respondent had requested information under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, seeking details related to loans and beneficiaries from the petitioner society. Despite the society's refusal to provide the information, appeals were filed before the 2nd and 1st respondents, leading to the impugned order directing the society to furnish the information.

Issue 3: Allegations and Counter Affidavit
Allegations of irregularities in loan disbursements by the petitioner society were raised by the 4th respondent, highlighting concerns about funds intended for farmers ending up in the wrong hands. The counter affidavit detailed various loan waiver schemes and incentives provided by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Judgment and Conclusion
The Court, relying on legal precedents, held that cooperative societies registered under the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act are not obligated to provide information under the RTI Act. Consequently, the impugned order directing the petitioner society to furnish information was quashed, and the writ petition was allowed with no costs incurred.

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