R.L.Narasimham, J.

1. This is an application under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution by a member of the Working Committee of Raipura Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited (Petitioner No. 1) and also by the said Society (Petitioner No. 2) for quashing an order dated the 28th June, 1966, (Annexure D) passed by Shri S. K. Sahai, Assistant Registrar, Co-operative Societies, compulsorily amalgamating the said Co-operative Society with Budhuchak Multipurpose Co-operative Society, in purported exercise of the powers conferred by rule 39 of the Bihar Co-operative Societies Rules, 1959.

2. As is well known, the Co-operative movement in Bihar is regulated and guided by the Bihar and Orissa Co-operative Societies Act, 1935, (hereinafter referred to as the Act), whose preamble is worth quoting:

"Whereas it is expedient to facilitate the formation, working and consolidation of Cooperative Societies for the promotion of thrift, self-help and mutual aid among agriculturists and other persons with common needs and for that purpose to consolidate and amend the law relating to Cooperative Societies -------"

The Registrar of Co-operative Societies and his subordinate officials have