Maharashtra Moves to Online Registration for Cooperative Societies; Move to Benefit Thousands in Pune

By PuneNow News Bureau

PUNE: In a significant move toward digital governance, the Maharashtra Cooperation Department is set to revolutionize the way housing and self-employment cooperative societies are formed. Citizens across the state will soon be able to transition from tedious physical paperwork to a seamless online registration system, eliminating the need for repeated visits to government offices.

Maharashtra currently boasts approximately 56 diverse types of cooperative entities, ranging from urban housing societies to tribal and labor cooperatives. Historically, the registration process was marred by delays, lack of procedural clarity, and the logistical burden of physical document submission. The new digital portal aims to bridge this gap, offering a transparent, “accessible, and affordable” service.

Digital Empowerment for Housing Societies

The Department of Cooperation, Marketing, and Textiles has conceptualized this electronic platform not just for new registrations, but as a central database for existing societies. Management committees are being encouraged to maintain online profiles to assist the administration in better policy formulation and data-driven decision-making.

Key benefits of the new system include:

• Zero Footfall: Drastic reduction in the need to visit the Registrar’s Office.
• Cost Efficiency: Lower management costs for societies and reduced administrative efforts for government officers.
• Transparency: Society information will be made public, ensuring better accountability.
• Integrity: Direct validation of accounts by the concerned Registrar to ensure data accuracy.

Mandatory Data Upload and “Stern Action” Warning

While the Government of Maharashtra has already launched the portal, officials have noted a lag in compliance. The Registrar of Societies has issued a stern warning, noting that some auditors and management committees have neglected the transition. To avoid legal repercussions or “stern action,” all existing societies are directed to upload their records immediately.

Societies are required to provide comprehensive details online, including:

• Registration number and certificate (PDF/JPEG format).
• Member count and Management Committee details.
• Audit information, share capital, and election history.

Step-by-Step Guide for Online Enrollment

For the benefit of our readers in Pune and beyond, here is the quick guide to registering your society on the MahaSahakar portal:

1. Visit the Portal: Go to the official MahaSahakar Login Page.
2. Create Account: Click on ‘NEW REGISTRATION’ [नवीन नोदणी कऱा] and select ‘Society’ as the account type.
3. Enter Specific Codes: * Use 6405 for societies within Municipal Corporation/Council areas (like PMC or PCMC).
   • Use 6404 for societies in Gram Panchayat areas.
4. Audit Class: Mention the audit class (A, B, or C) as provided in your latest Audit Report.
5. Official Email: Use a dedicated society email ID, as all future government communication and confirmation numbers will be sent there.

For those facing technical difficulties, the department has provided a comprehensive User Manual and Society Code list on the portal’s homepage to ensure a smooth transition to the digital era.