Practice paper — Constitution Part IXB — The Co-operative Societies
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1.Under Article 243ZH, which of the following correctly defines a "co-operative society"?
- (A) Any voluntary association of persons formed for mutual aid, whether registered or not
- (B) A society registered or deemed to be registered under any law relating to co-operative societies for the time being in force in any State
- (C) Only societies registered under a Central law relating to co-operatives
- (D) A society registered under a State Act that limits its operation to one district
2.Which of the following persons is included within the term "Office bearer" under Article 243ZH?
- (A) President, Vice-President, Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer and any other person to be elected by the board of any co-operative society
- (B) Only the President and Secretary of a co-operative society
- (C) Any employee appointed by the co-operative society for administrative duties
- (D) Only the Chairperson and Treasurer of a co-operative society
3.A society has objects that extend beyond one State (it operates in two States) and is registered under a law relating to co-operatives of one of those States. Under Article 243ZH, how should this society be classified?
- (A) It cannot be a multi-State co-operative society because it is registered under a State law
- (B) It is a multi-State co-operative society because its objects are not confined to one State and it is registered under a law relating to co-operatives
- (C) It is necessarily a State level co-operative society because it is registered under a State law
- (D) It is neither a multi-State nor a State level society under Article 243ZH
4.Which of the following best describes the meaning of "Registrar" in Article 243ZH?
- (A) The Central Registrar appointed by the Central Government in relation to all co-operative societies
- (B) Only the Registrar for co-operative societies appointed by the State Government
- (C) Any officer responsible for registering societies at the district level
- (D) The Central Registrar for multi-State co-operative societies and the State-appointed Registrar for co-operative societies under State law
5.Under Article 243ZI, who may, by law, make provisions with respect to co-operative societies in a State?
- (A) The Parliament of India
- (B) The Legislature of a State
- (C) The President of India
- (D) The State High Court
6.Which subjects are expressly mentioned in Article 243ZI as matters the State Legislature may make provisions about?
- (A) Taxation and finance of co-operative societies
- (B) Public health measures for societies
- (C) Incorporation, regulation and winding up of co-operative societies
- (D) Education and training of members
7.The State Legislature's power under Article 243ZI is described as being "Subject to the provisions of this Part." What does this indicate about that power?
- (A) The State Legislature has absolute and unfettered power.
- (B) The power is exercisable only by the Parliament.
- (C) The power is subject to and must conform with other provisions of the same Part of the Constitution.
- (D) The power can be exercised only with the Governor's prior approval.
8.May a State law under Article 243ZI validly provide for co-operative societies in a way that excludes the principle of member‑economic participation?
- (A) Yes — the State may choose which principles to follow.
- (B) No — laws must be based on the listed principles including member‑economic participation.
- (C) Yes — exclusion is permissible for matters of winding up only.
- (D) Only if the Central Government gives prior assent.
9.What is the term of office of elected members of the board and its office bearers under Article 243ZJ?
- (A) Three years
- (B) Four years
- (C) Five years
- (D) Six years
10.Which co‑operative societies must the State Legislature provide reservation for one SC/ST seat and two women seats on the board as per Article 243ZJ?
- (A) All co‑operative societies irrespective of membership
- (B) Co‑operative societies consisting of individuals as members and having members from such class or category
- (C) Only co‑operatives whose board has more than 10 directors
- (D) Only societies established by State enactment
11.Under Article 243ZJ, when may the board fill a casual vacancy by nomination out of the same class of members?
- (A) Only if the vacancy arises from a co‑opted member
- (B) Only if the board expressly passes a resolution authorising nomination
- (C) If the vacancy relates to an SC/ST reserved seat irrespective of time remaining
- (D) If the term of office of the board is less than half of its original term
12.Under Article 243ZK(1), when must the election of a board be conducted?
- (A) Before the expiry of the term so that newly elected members assume office immediately on expiry.
- (B) On or after the expiry of the term of the outgoing board.
- (C) Within six months after the expiry of the outgoing board's term.
- (D) Only when the State Legislature issues a fresh notification regardless of term expiry.
13.According to Article 243ZK(2), the superintendence, direction and control of preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to a co-operative society shall vest in:
- (A) The Election Commission of India.
- (B) Such authority or body as may be provided by the Legislature of a State, by law.
- (C) The Central Government.
- (D) The co-operative society itself.
14.If a State law schedules elections to a board after the outgoing board's term has expired, what follows from Article 243ZK(1)?
- (A) The State law will be valid and elections may proceed after expiry.
- (B) A judicial reference is mandatory before holding elections.
- (C) The election must be conducted before expiry despite the State law, because Article 243ZK(1) is 'notwithstanding anything' in State law.
- (D) The Central Government will take over conduct of the election.
15.Who may provide the procedure and guidelines for the conduct of elections to a co-operative society under Article 243ZK?
- (A) Parliament of India.
- (B) A body designated by the Central Government.
- (C) The authority/body designated by the State without any law.
- (D) The Legislature of a State, by law.
16.Under Article 243ZL(1), what is the general maximum period for which a board may be superseded or kept under supersession?
- (A) Six months
- (B) One year
- (C) Three months
- (D) Indefinitely until elections are held
17.According to Article 243ZL(2), what is the primary duty of the administrator appointed on supersession of a board?
- (A) Permanently manage the society's affairs without elections
- (B) Dissolve the co-operative society and distribute assets
- (C) Arrange for conduct of elections within the period specified in clause (1) and hand over management to the elected board
- (D) Appoint a new board in consultation with the State Government without elections
18.Which of the following is NOT listed in Article 243ZL(1) as a ground for supersession or suspension of a board?
- (A) Persistent default by the board
- (B) Negligence in the performance of duties
- (C) The board has committed any act prejudicial to the interests of the society or its members
- (D) Where there is no Government shareholding or loan or financial assistance or any guarantee by the Government
19.A co-operative society carrying on banking (not a multi‑State society) has no Government shareholding, loan, financial assistance or guarantee. Under Article 243ZL, can its board be superseded for negligence?
- (A) Yes, because negligence is a ground listed in clause (1)
- (B) No, because the proviso bars supersession where there is no Government shareholding, loan, assistance or guarantee
- (C) Yes, but only if the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 permits it
- (D) Yes, but only for a maximum of one year
20.Under Article 243ZM, who is required to lay down the minimum qualifications and experience of auditors eligible to audit co-operative societies?
- (A) The Legislature of a State
- (B) The State Government
- (C) The general body of the co-operative society
- (D) The Central Government
21.According to Article 243ZM, within what time frame must the accounts of every co-operative society be audited?
- (A) Within three months of the close of the financial year
- (B) Within six months of the close of the financial year to which such accounts relate
- (C) Within one year of the close of the financial year
- (D) Before the next general body meeting of the society
22.A co-operative society's general body appoints an auditor who is not on any panel approved by the State Government. Is this appointment consistent with Article 243ZM?
- (A) Yes — the general body may appoint any auditor of its choice
- (B) Yes — provided the auditor meets the minimum qualifications laid down by the Legislature
- (C) No — appointments are valid only if approved by the State Legislature
- (D) No — auditors must be appointed from a panel approved by the State Government or an authority authorised by the State Government
23.Which audit report does Article 243ZM require to be laid before the State Legislature?
- (A) The audit report of an apex co-operative society, as may be defined by the State Act, shall be laid before the State Legislature in the manner provided by the State Legislature by law
- (B) The audit report of every co-operative society must be laid before the State Legislature
- (C) Only those audit reports requested by the State Government need be laid before the State Legislature
- (D) Audit reports of apex societies are to be presented only to the general body, not the State Legislature
24.Which law-making body is empowered by Article 243ZN to make provisions about convening annual general body meetings of co-operative societies?
- (A) The Parliament of India
- (B) The Legislature of a State
- (C) The President of India
- (D) The Registrar of Co-operative Societies
25.To which meeting does Article 243ZN specifically refer?
- (A) The annual general body meeting of every co-operative society
- (B) The annual general meeting of all companies
- (C) The board meeting of a co-operative bank
- (D) Any meeting called by a co-operative society
26.According to Article 243ZN, who determines the business to be transacted at the annual general body meeting?
- (A) The law enacted by the State Legislature as to the business to be transacted
- (B) The society's managing committee acting alone
- (C) The Registrar of Co-operative Societies by administrative order
- (D) The Central Government through notification
27.If a State law requires annual general body meetings of co-operative societies to be held within eight months of the close of the financial year, how does that compare with Article 243ZN?
- (A) The State law is valid because Article 243ZN only gives non-binding guidance.
- (B) The State law is consistent because the State Legislature can choose any timeframe it likes.
- (C) The State law is valid if approved by the Parliament.
- (D) The State law is inconsistent with Article 243ZN, which provides for convening within a period of six months of the close of the financial year.
28.Under Article 243ZO, who may provide for access to every member of a co-operative society to its books, information and accounts?
- (A) The Legislature of a State
- (B) The Parliament of India
- (C) The Registrar of Co-operative Societies
- (D) The society's managing committee
29.Which of the following does Article 243ZO explicitly permit a State Legislature to provide for by law?
- (A) Compulsory certificate courses for every member
- (B) Co-operative education and training for its members
- (C) Education only for the managing committee
- (D) Education to the general public about co-operatives
30.A member requests inspection of society records wholly unrelated to any transactions between the society and that member. According to Article 243ZO(1), is such access automatically granted?
- (A) Yes — every book and account must be open to every member
- (B) No — access is to books, information and accounts 'kept in regular transaction of its business with such members'
- (C) Only if a court orders inspection
- (D) Only if the society's by-laws expressly allow it
31.Under Article 243ZO(2), the 'minimum requirement of attending meetings' and 'utilising the minimum level of services' as may be provided in law are obligations intended to apply to which group?
- (A) Members of the management of the co-operative society
- (B) All members of the co-operative society
- (C) Only non-management members
- (D) Only members who have received society loans
32.Within what time period must every co-operative society file returns after the close of every financial year?
- (A) Within three months of the close of the financial year
- (B) Within six months of the close of the financial year
- (C) Within nine months of the close of the financial year
- (D) Within twelve months of the close of the financial year
33.Which of the following is expressly required to be included in the returns filed by a co-operative society?
- (A) Annual report of its activities
- (B) List of shareholders with contact details
- (C) Minutes of every board meeting held during the year
- (D) Income-tax returns filed with the Central Board
34.Can the Registrar require information in addition to items (a)–(e) listed in the provision?
- (A) Yes, but only such information as is required by the Registrar in pursuance of any of the provisions of the State Act
- (B) Yes, the Registrar may require any additional information at his discretion
- (C) No, the Registrar cannot require anything beyond items (a)–(e)
- (D) Yes, if the general body of the society approves the request
35.Which item in the list of matters to be filed is explicitly made conditional by the words 'if any' in the provision?
- (A) Plan for surplus disposal as approved by the general body
- (B) List of amendments to the bye-laws of the co-operative society
- (C) Declaration regarding date of holding of its general body meeting and conduct of elections
- (D) Audited statement of accounts
36.Under Article 243ZQ of the Constitution, what power is expressly given to the Legislature of a State?
- (A) To make provisions for offences relating to co-operative societies and penalties for such offences
- (B) To nationalise co-operative societies compulsorily
- (C) To amend the objects of any co-operative society by executive order
- (D) To adjudicate disputes between co-operative societies and central government
37.An employer deducts contributions from an employee's salary for a co-operative society but fails, without sufficient cause, to remit the deducted amount to the society for twenty days. Under Article 243ZQ, the employer's conduct would be best characterised as:
- (A) An offence under clause (b) for disobeying a lawful order
- (B) An offence under clause (c) for failing to pay amounts deducted within fourteen days
- (C) An offence under clause (d) for failing to hand over custody of books and records
- (D) A civil breach with no penal consequence under Article 243ZQ
38.A person refuses to give information when asked by an individual officer of a co-operative society who is not authorised under the State Act to obtain such information. Is this refusal an offence under Article 243ZQ(2)(a)?
- (A) Yes — any refusal to furnish information about a co-operative society is an offence
- (B) Yes — because clause (a) uses the phrase 'any person' without limitation
- (C) Yes — but only if the person was a member of the society
- (D) No — clause (a) criminalises failure to furnish information when required by a person authorised under the State Act
39.Which of the following disobediences would fall within Article 243ZQ(2)(b)?
- (A) Wilfully disobeying a summons issued under the provisions of the State Act
- (B) Ignoring an internal instruction of the society's president not issued under the State Act
- (C) Failing to attend a meeting called informally by some society members
- (D) Refusing to comply with an unwritten expectation of the board
40.According to Article 243ZR, the phrase 'Legislature of a State' in this Part, when applied to multi-State co-operative societies, shall be construed as which of the following?
- (A) State Legislature
- (B) Parliament
- (C) Central Government
- (D) State Act
41.If a provision in this Part refers to 'State Government', how should that reference be interpreted for multi-State co-operative societies under Article 243ZR?
- (A) State Government
- (B) State Legislature
- (C) Central Government
- (D) Central Act
42.Does Article 243ZR make the provisions of this Part applicable to multi-State co-operative societies?
- (A) No, it excludes multi-State co-operative societies
- (B) Yes, without any modification
- (C) Yes, but only when a State Act so provides
- (D) Yes, subject to modification that specified references to state bodies are construed as references to central bodies
43.Which of the following best describes the scope of the substitutions required by Article 243ZR for multi-State co-operative societies?
- (A) Only the specific phrases 'Legislature of a State', 'State Act' and 'State Government' are to be construed as their central counterparts
- (B) All references to any 'State' word in the Part must be read as references to the Centre
- (C) Only references to 'State Act' are converted; others remain unchanged
- (D) Substitutions apply only if the multi-State society has operations in more than two states
44.If a Union territory has no Legislative Assembly, references to the 'Legislature of a State' are to be read as a reference to which authority?
- (A) The President
- (B) Administrator appointed under article 239
- (C) Parliament
- (D) A Lieutenant Governor
45.In relation to a Union territory that has a Legislative Assembly, the references to the 'Legislature of a State' shall be read as referring to:
- (A) An Administrator appointed under article 239
- (B) The President of India
- (C) That Legislative Assembly
- (D) Parliament
46.Which of the following best describes the power given to the President by the proviso in Article 243ZS?
- (A) The President can amend this Part by notification in the Official Gazette
- (B) The President may direct exclusion of the Part only for Union territories without Legislative Assemblies
- (C) The President may temporarily suspend the application of this Part for specified Union territories
- (D) The President may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that the provisions of this Part shall not apply to any Union territory or part thereof as he may specify
47.Does the proviso to Article 243ZS allow the President to exclude only whole Union territories, or can parts of a Union territory be excluded as well?
- (A) Any Union territory or part thereof
- (B) Only whole Union territories
- (C) Only Union territories without Legislative Assemblies
- (D) Only Union territories with Legislative Assemblies
48.Which category of laws does Article 243ZT expressly cover?
- (A) Any provision of any law relating to co-operative societies in force in a State immediately before the commencement of the Ninety-seventh Amendment Act, 2011.
- (B) Any central enactment relating to co-operative societies passed after the commencement of the Amendment.
- (C) Only laws relating to co-operative societies passed by Parliament.
- (D) Only laws enacted after the commencement of the Amendment.
49.If a State provision inconsistent with the new Part is amended by a competent Legislature nine months after commencement, when does the continued effect under Article 243ZT end?
- (A) It ends immediately on the amendment (at nine months).
- (B) It ends only at the expiration of one year regardless of the amendment.
- (C) It continues until the amendment is approved by Parliament.
- (D) It continues indefinitely unless repealed by the central authority.
50.If no competent Legislature or authority amends or repeals an inconsistent State provision, when does Article 243ZT stop preserving that provision?
- (A) It stops at the moment of commencement of the Amendment.
- (B) It stops only if a court declares it invalid.
- (C) It stops upon the expiration of one year from the commencement of the Amendment.
- (D) It stops after ten years unless specifically extended.
Answer key
Explanations
- 1. (B) Article 243ZH(c) expressly defines "co-operative society" as a society registered or deemed to be registered under any law relating to co-operative societies for the time being in force in any State. The provision does not extend the definition to unregistered associations or restrict registration to Central law.
- 2. (A) Article 243ZH(e) defines "Office bearer" to include President, Vice-President, Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer of a co-operative society and expressly includes any other person to be elected by the board. It therefore covers the listed officers and board-elected persons, not mere employees.
- 3. (B) Article 243ZH(d) defines "multi-State co-operative society" as a society with objects not confined to one State and registered or deemed to be registered under any law for the time being in force relating to such cooperatives. Registration under a State law therefore does not preclude classification as multi-State if the objects are not confined to one State.
- 4. (D) Article 243ZH(f) specifies that "Registrar" means the Central Registrar appointed by the Central Government in relation to multi-State co-operative societies and the Registrar for co-operative societies appointed by the State Government under State law. Thus both roles are covered, depending on the type of society.
- 5. (B) The provision states that "the Legislature of a State may, by law, make provisions with respect to the incorporation, regulation and winding up of co-operative societies." This identifies the State Legislature as the law-making authority under this Article.
- 6. (C) The text specifies that the State Legislature may make provisions "with respect to the incorporation, regulation and winding up of co-operative societies." Those three matters are explicitly named in the Article.
- 7. (C) The Article begins with "Subject to the provisions of this Part," which means the State Legislature's authority to make laws under this Article is qualified by and must conform to the other provisions contained in that Part of the Constitution. It is not described as absolute or dependent on the Governor in the text.
- 8. (B) The Article requires State laws to be "based on the principles of voluntary formation, democratic membercontrol, member‑economic participation and autonomous functioning." Excluding member‑economic participation would conflict with the requirement that laws be based on these principles.
- 9. (C) Clause (2) expressly provides that the term of office of elected members of the board and its office bearers shall be five years from the date of election. The term of office bearers is coterminous with the board.
- 10. (B) The second proviso to clause (1) requires the Legislature to provide reservation of one seat for SC/ST and two seats for women on the board of every co‑operative society consisting of individuals as members and having members from such class or category. Thus it applies to societies meeting those membership conditions.
- 11. (D) The proviso to clause (2) permits the board to fill a casual vacancy by nomination out of the same class of members if the term of office of the board is less than half of its original term. The power is therefore conditional on the remaining term being less than half.
- 12. (A) Article 243ZK(1) states the election of a board shall be conducted before the expiry of the term so as to ensure that the newly elected members assume office immediately on expiry. The provision requires pre-expiry conduct of elections to secure immediate assumption of office.
- 13. (B) Article 243ZK(2) expressly vests superintendence, direction and control in "such an authority or body, as may be provided by the Legislature of a State, by law." The provision does not vest that power in the Central Government or automatically in the Election Commission.
- 14. (C) Article 243ZK(1) begins with "Notwithstanding anything contained in any law made by the Legislature of a State," and requires elections to be conducted before expiry so newly elected members assume office immediately. Thus a State law scheduling elections after expiry cannot override this constitutional requirement.
- 15. (D) The proviso to Article 243ZK(2) states that the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide for the procedure and guidelines for the conduct of such elections. The provision thus contemplates state legislation, not central enactment or mere administrative designation without law.
- 16. (A) Clause (1) states that no board shall be superseded or kept under supersession for a period exceeding six months. (There is a separate proviso that modifies this period for certain banking co-operative societies.)
- 17. (C) Clause (2) provides that the administrator appointed to manage the affairs shall arrange for conduct of elections within the period specified in clause (1) and hand over the management to the elected board.
- 18. (D) Clause (1) lists persistent default, negligence, acts prejudicial to interests, stalemate, and failure of the authority to conduct elections as grounds. A further proviso expressly states that a board shall not be superseded where there is no Government shareholding, loan, financial assistance or guarantee.
- 19. (B) Although clause (1) lists negligence as a ground, the succeeding proviso expressly provides that the board shall not be superseded or kept under suspension where there is no Government shareholding, loan, financial assistance or guarantee; hence supersession is barred in that situation.
- 20. (A) Clause (2) expressly provides that 'The Legislature of a State shall, by law, lay down the minimum qualifications and experience of auditors and auditing firms.' This responsibility is thus placed on the State Legislature, not the State Government or general body.
- 21. (B) Clause (4) states that 'The accounts of every co-operative society shall be audited within six months of the close of the financial year to which such accounts relate.' Therefore the prescribed period is six months after the financial year-end.
- 22. (D) Clause (3) requires the general body to appoint an auditor referred to in clause (2), and the proviso to clause (3) specifies that such auditors 'shall be appointed from a panel approved by a State Government or an authority authorised by the State Government.' An appointment outside that panel would not meet the proviso.
- 23. (A) Clause (5) explicitly states that 'The audit report of the accounts of an apex co-operative society ... shall be laid before the State Legislature in the manner, as may be provided by the State Legislature, by law.' It does not require laying reports of every society before the Legislature.
- 24. (B) The provision states "The Legislature of a State may, by law, make provisions..." which identifies the State Legislature as the body empowered to enact such laws. It does not confer that power on Parliament, the President, or the Registrar.
- 25. (A) The text expressly refers to "the annual general body meeting of every co-operative society." It does not refer to company meetings, board meetings, or every possible meeting called by a society.
- 26. (A) The provision says meetings shall be convened "to transact the business as may be provided in such law," indicating that the law made by the State Legislature may specify the business. It does not vest that specification in the committee, Registrar, or Central Government.
- 27. (D) Article 243ZN specifies convening "within a period of six months of close of the financial year." A State law prescribing eight months would conflict with this constitutional provision, which sets the six-month period as the rule the State Legislature may enact.
- 28. (A) Clause (1) of Article 243ZO states: 'The Legislature of a State may, by law, provide for access to every member of a co-operative society to the books, information and accounts...'. Thus it is the State Legislature that may provide for such access by law.
- 29. (B) Clause (3) of Article 243ZO expressly provides that 'The Legislature of a State may, by law, provide for co-operative education and training for its members.' The Article therefore permits (by law) co-operative education and training for members.
- 30. (B) Clause (1) specifies access 'to the books, information and accounts of the cooperative society kept in regular transaction of its business with such members.' Thus the right of access is confined to records kept in regular transaction of the society's business with those members, not automatically to all unrelated records.
- 31. (A) Clause (2) refers to 'the participation of members of the management of the co-operative society providing minimum requirement of attending meetings by the members and utilising the minimum level of services as may be provided in such law.' The text therefore links these minimum requirements to members of the management (as may be prescribed by law).
- 32. (B) The provision states: "Every co-operative society shall file returns, within six months of the close of every financial year..." Therefore the correct period is six months from the close of the financial year.
- 33. (A) Clause (a) of the provision specifically requires the "annual report of its activities" to be included in the returns. The other items are not listed in clauses (a)–(f).
- 34. (A) Clause (f) permits "any other information required by the Registrar in pursuance of any of the provisions of the State Act." Thus additional information can be required, but only insofar as it is pursuant to the State Act.
- 35. (B) Item (d) reads: "list of amendments to the bye-laws of the co-operative society, if any;" making that item explicitly conditional. The other items are not qualified by 'if any' in the text.
- 36. (A) Article 243ZQ(1) states that the Legislature of a State may, by law, make provisions for offences relating to co-operative societies and penalties for such offences. The provision therefore confers legislative competence to create offences and penalties in respect of co-operative societies.
- 37. (B) Article 243ZQ(2)(c) makes it an offence where any employer, without sufficient cause, fails to pay to a co-operative society amount deducted by him from its employee within fourteen days from the date on which such deduction is made. The facts fit clause (c).
- 38. (D) Article 243ZQ(2)(a) criminalises wilful non‑furnishing of information "required from him by a person authorised in this behalf under the provisions of the State Act." If the requester is not so authorised under the State Act, clause (a) does not, on its face, apply.
- 39. (A) Article 243ZQ(2)(b) specifically includes as an offence any person wilfully or without reasonable excuse disobeying any summons, requisition or lawful written order issued under the provisions of the State Act. Disobedience of instruments not issued under the State Act is not covered by this clause.
- 40. (B) Article 243ZR provides that any reference to 'Legislature of a State' shall be construed as a reference to 'Parliament' for multi-State co-operative societies. The provision directly substitutes 'Parliament' for 'Legislature of a State'.
- 41. (C) Article 243ZR specifies that any reference to 'State Government' shall be construed as a reference to 'the Central Government' for multi-State co-operative societies. Therefore such a reference must be read as 'Central Government'.
- 42. (D) The provision begins by saying 'The provisions of this Part shall apply to the multi-State co-operative societies subject to the modification that...' and then lists the specified substitutions. Thus the Part applies but with those specific modifications.
- 43. (A) Article 243ZR explicitly lists the three phrases whose references are to be construed as central counterparts. It does not state a blanket conversion of every occurrence of the word 'State' or add any numeric condition, so only those specified phrases are substituted.
- 44. (B) The text states that in application to a Union territory having no Legislative Assembly the references to the Legislature of a State 'were a reference to the administrator thereof appointed under article 239.' Thus the Administrator under art.239 is the correct substitute.
- 45. (C) The provision says 'and, in relation to a Union territory having a Legislative Assembly, to that Legislative Assembly,' meaning references to a State Legislature are to be read as references to that Union territory's Legislative Assembly.
- 46. (D) The proviso explicitly states: 'the President may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that the provisions of this Part shall not apply to any Union territory or part thereof as he may specify in the notification.' This grants power to exclude application by notification.
- 47. (A) The proviso expressly permits the President to direct non-application 'to any Union territory or part thereof as he may specify,' which shows parts of a Union territory can be excluded as well as whole territories.
- 48. (A) The provision expressly refers to "any provision of any law relating to co-operative societies in force in a State immediately before the commencement of the Constitution (Ninety-seventh Amendment) Act, 2011." It therefore covers those laws in force immediately before commencement.
- 49. (A) Article 243ZT provides the provision "shall continue to be in force until amended or repealed by a competent Legislature or other competent authority or until the expiration of one year ... whichever is less." An amendment by a competent Legislature at nine months therefore ends the continued effect immediately.
- 50. (C) Article 243ZT specifies continuation "until amended or repealed by a competent Legislature or other competent authority or until the expiration of one year from such commencement, whichever is less." If no amendment or repeal occurs, the continuation therefore ends at one year after commencement.