In the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, at Chandigarh

1.

Civil Writ Petition No. 170 of 2021 (O&M)

The Ramdaspur Multipurpose Co-operative Agricultural Service Society

Limited Ramdaspur and Others

... Petitioner(s)

Versus

State of Punjab and Others

... Respondent(s)

2.

Civil Writ Petition No. 173 of 2021

Parminder Singh Pannu and Others

... Petitioner(s)

Versus

State of Punjab and Others

... Respondent(s)

3.

Civil Writ Petition No. 176 of 2021

The Kapurthala Central Co-operative Bank Limited and Others

... Petitioner(s)

Versus

State of Punjab and Others

... Respondent(s)

AND

4.

Civil Writ Petition No. 198 of 2021

The Bachhauri Multipurpose Co-operative Agriculture Service Society

Limited Bachhauri and Others

... Petitioner(s)

Versus

State of Punjab and Others

... Respondent(s)

DATE OF DECISION: 12.05.2021

DEEPAK KUMAR BHARDWAJ

2021.05.17 12:08

I attest to the accuracy and

integrity of this document

Civil Writ Petition No. 170 of 2021 (O&M) And 2

Three Other Connected Cases

CORAM: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Anil Kshetarpal.

Present:

Mr. D.V.Sharma Senior Advocate

with Mr. Tushar Sharma, Advocate

for the petitioners.

Mr. S.P.S.Tinna, Additional Advocate General,

Punjab, for respondent No.1 and 2.

Mr. Ashwani Prashar, Advocate

for respondent No.3.

Anil Kshetarpal, J.

1.

By this order, the following writ petitions shall stand disposed

of:-

I)

Civil Writ Petition No. 170 of 2021

II)

Civil Writ Petition No. 173 of 2021

III)

Civil Writ Petition No. 176 of 2021, And

IV)

Civil Writ Petition No. 198 of 2021

2.

Learned counsel representing the parties being common are ad

idem that all these writ petitions involve identical questions of fact and law

and therefore, the writ petitions, in this bunch, can be conveniently disposed

of by a common judgment.

3.

Civil Writ Petition No. 170 of 2021 has been filed by 12

multipurpose Co-operative service Societies whereas Civil Writ Petition No.

173 of 2021 has been filed by 6 authorized representatives of the Central Co-

operative Banks, who claim to be the elected Directors of the Punjab State

Co-operative Bank Limited, Chandigarh (hereinafter referred to as “the

PSCB”). Civil Writ Petition No. 176 of 2021 has been filed by the

Kapurthala Central Co-operative Bank and four other Societies whereas

Civil Writ Petition No. 198 of 2021 has been filed by six Societies.

DEEPAK KUMAR BHARDWAJ

2021.05.17 12:08

I attest to the accuracy and

integrity of this document

Civil Writ Petition No. 170 of 2021 (O&M) And 3

Three Other Connected Cases

4.

Through all these writ petitions, the petitioners assail the

correctness of the order (29.12.2020) of the Registrar, Co-operative

Societies, Punjab, (for short 'RCS') passed while rejecting the objection

petitions against the proposed amalgamation the District Central Co-

operative Banks (hereinafter referred to as “the DCCB”) with PSCB.

5.

On 03.12.2018, a proposal submitted to the Cabinet of the State

of Punjab for amalgamation of various DCCBs with PSCB, Chandigarh, was

approved with the following major objects and reasons for amalgamation:-

“A.

Maintenance of Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio

(CRAR).

B.

Profitability of District Central Co-operative Banks is

declining due to shrinking of banking business.

C.

Restrict flow of Credit by DCCBs in some areas of

Punjab.

D.

Extra cost of computerization and other administrative

expenses.

E.

Scheduled Bank Status – when DCCBs are restructured

in to one unitary Bank, the bank will have the status of

Scheduled Bank.

F.

Better tax management – The unitary system would

provide a space of better tax management against the

collective losses of all DCCBs.

G.

Better HR Management – After unitary structure, better

utilization, deployment and the development of human

resources can be done properly”.

DEEPAK KUM