Question

“Membership of a cooperative society is open.” Comment.

Answer 1

1. The statement “Membership of a cooperative society is open” means that anyone who shares the society’s common interest can join as a member without discrimination based on caste, creed, religion, or political affiliation.
2. Membership is voluntary, and no one is forced to become or remain a member. New members are always welcome, provided they meet the cooperative’s basic criteria.
3. Thus, the open membership policy is one of the distinct and defining features of cooperative societies, contrasting with other business entities, where membership or shareholding may be restricted or transferable only under certain conditions.
4. In cooperative societies, shares are not transferable but are returnable to the society, and membership is based on equality and democratic control with a “one member one vote” principle.