<h1>New cooperative code to boost transparency, speed decisions, expand society powers, and enforce audits, meetings, and penalties</h1> The state government will replace the existing cooperative law with a new cooperative code to enhance transparency, speed decision-making, curb irregularities, and strengthen democratic, member-oriented management. The draft-based on other states' frameworks-removes shareholding caps for central or state governments to encourage new societies, allows societies to market and partner beyond their areas, and mandates timely general assemblies with digital notices; failures carry fines and disqualification for absentee board members. Financial oversight measures require audit reports to be uploaded to a government portal within 15 days and enable prompt recovery actions for embezzlement. A regulatory board for credit societies and rules for housing societies are proposed; misuse of 'cooperative' may attract fines.