JUDGMENT - C.S. DHARMADHIKARI, Acg. C.J.:---Since all these writ petitions involve common questions of law and fact they were heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment.

2. In this writ petitions the provisions of section 73-FF of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 as a whole are challenged on various grounds. However, we are mainly concerned with the provisions of sections 73(i)(c) and 73-FF(1)(vi) of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 (hereinafter referred to as the said Act). Section 73-FF came to be inserted in the said Act by Maharashtra Act XX of 1986, which came into force with effect from 12th of May, 1986. By the said Act section 78 also came to be amended. Section 73-FF deals with the disqualification of membership of the Committee. Since section as a whole is challenged before us it will be worthwhile to reproduce the said section verbatum :

"73-FF(1) Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder in relation to the disqualification of being a member of a committee, no person shall be eligible for being appointed. Nominated, elected, co-opted or, for being a member of a committee, if he--

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