Coimbatore: The Registration Department has invoked the provisions in the Societies Registration Act to cancel the registrations and de-list 109 consumer bodies that failed to comply with the registration conditions.

The action brings an end to the functioning of these self-styled consumer organisations that remain only on letterheads, sources in the registration department have said.

In many cases, they issue press releases attaching copies of memoranda "sent" to the Government, Ministers and bureaucrats to garner publicity.

Following repeated complaints on such consumer organisations, the Commissioner for Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection and the District Collector ordered for verifying the genuineness of such organisations.

Recently, a drive was carried out by the District Registrar to identify consumer bodies and organisations that failed to comply with the conditions.

Procedure

The reports reveal that 116 organisations have registered themselves over the last 15 years.

Every year, the registered bodies have to file Form V and Form VI declaring the list of members and office bearers, besides filing returns, audited accounts, balance sheet, minutes of the executive committee meetings and that of annual general body meetings besides the list of office-bearers and committees as and when elections are held.

If the formalities were not complied with for three years, they would have to file a plea before the District Registrar for condoning the failure.

In the event of failure for five years, the powers for condoning rests with the Inspector-General Registrations and beyond five years, they have approach the Government for condoning the failure.

Show-cause notice

Failing which, the District Registrar is vested with the powers under section 44 (4) of the Societies Registration Act, for serving show cause notices as to why their registrations could not be cancelled.

But, there was no mechanism by which the functioning of these organisations can be monitored or discipline ensured, officials pointed out.

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