Consider the following statements:

1. According to the Constitution of India, the right to form a cooperative society is a fundamental right.

2. The 95th Amendment Act added a new Directive Principle of State Policy relating to cooperative societies.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Solution

● Statement 1 is correct and Statement 2 is incorrect: §  Originally, the Right to form Cooperative Societies was not a fundamental right in India. After the 97th amendment however, the right to form cooperative societies has been added to Article 19 (Right to Freedom) of the Constitution, and has hence become a fundamental right of every Indian citizen. Reasonable Restrictions can however be made subject to maintenance of public order or morality and interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India. §  The 97th Amendment also added Article 43B to the DPSPs. It requires the state to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies. §  Additionally, the amendment added Chapter IX-B to the constitution. The chapter covers detailed provisions regarding cooperative societies in india.