A Co-operative Housing Society is formed under the West Bengal Co-operative Society Act, 2006 (previously the West Bengal Co-operative Society Act, 1983). The Act extends to the whole of West Bengal and came into force on 18th January, 2011 vide Notification No. 177 – Coop/H/2R – 1/2006. Under Section 157(1) of WBCS Act, 2006, the WBCS Rules, 2011 were formulated which along with the WBCS Act, 2006 regulates the formation and working of Co-operative Housing Societies in West Bengal. The Rules 2011 came into force on 18th January, 2011 vide Notification No. 180 – Coop/H/2R – 1/2006.
Under the WBCS Act, 2006, co-operative housing societies are formed as democratic institutions that are owned, managed and controlled by the members of the society who operate their business on the principles of co-operation and mutual aid.
Under Section 3(iv) of the WBCS Act, 2006, the economic benefits out of the Co-operative Society would belong to the members of the Society and the society acts as an autonomous body with little interference from the State Government. A co-operative housing society works on the theory of mutuality and sharing of funds among the members of the society and hence the society is exempted from tax.
The Housing Society can also enter into contracts for business purpose. However, any income that is received by the Society from outside, i.e. from sources other than the members of the Society is taxable. Renting parking lot or commercial space to outsiders would incur tax liability.
The board of Directors, in a Housing Society, as formed under Section 32 of the WBCS Act, 2006, controls the operations of the housing society and constitutes the governing body vide Section 4(8) of the WBCS Act, 2006. A housing Co-operative Society is defined under Section 4(36) of the WBCS Act, 2006 and includes a society whose primary object is to provide to its members dwelling units, flats or provide land for construction of such flats or houses and the Society may also provide finance to the members for purchase of land and construction of flats thereupon. The Society also looks into the maintenance of common service facilities to its members.
A Co-operative is defined under Rule 6 of the Rules, 2011 and states:
“Cooperatives are autonomous associations of persons united voluntarily to meet their common needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically – controlled enterprise and adhering to the cooperative principles and values.”
Persons from other States in India can also become members of a housing co-operative society registered in West Bengal, provided they have the intention of residing in West Bengal permanently within a period of one year from the date of application for membership [vide Section 87(d) of WBCS Act, 2006]. Further, any member who wishes to be a part of the housing co-operative society in West Bengal must make a declaration before a Magistrate stating several details as enumerated under Section 87 WBCS Act, 2006.
The member must also showcase genuine need for housing or additional accommodation from such Co-operative Society.
Practically speaking, a person may always showcase intention to reside in West Bengal and express his need for accommodation in a co-operative housing society in West Bengal but thereafter due to change in circumstances he may also sell the flat or rent it out according to the given situation by showcasing that due to professional or business needs he has to reside elsewhere. Such declarations cannot be used against them under such circumstances. However, a test of bonafide may be called if the member fails to live up to the declaration provided while acquiring interest in the co-operative housing society.
An NRI can also be a member of Co-operative Housing Society in West Bengal if he/she abides by the above provisions and gives the necessary directions, as provided under Section 87 of WBCS Act, 2006. Please refer to the provisions contained in Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) for further guidance regarding what kind of property can be held by NRIs. Agricultural land cannot be held by NRIs.
A housing Co-operative Society in West Bengal can be of three different types under Section 88 WBCS Act, 2006:
a) a society where all the members have purchased the land for construction of unit houses on separate plots on their own or through the Co-operative Society. However, if the members elect to construct houses on their own then they must construct the same within 3 years from the date of possession.
b) A housing society where the members have purchased land for construction of flats which shall be allotted to the members by the society.
c) Lastly, the society may also be formed after construction has started on any building and when the members of the building want to form a Co-operative society for providing maintenance, common services and amenities.
It must also be understood that the Housing Society can build more apartments than the number of members who have subscribed as long as the plan or scheme has such option. Flats can always exceed the number of members but number of members should not exceed total number of apartments or flats.
However, under Rule 131(2) of WBCS Rules, 2011:
“In a co-operative housing society the number of members shall not exceed the total number of plots, houses or apartments proposed by a society to be allotted to members under any scheme or project of such society:
Provided that member shall be eligible for allotment of only one plot, house or apartment in a housing co-operative society.”
From the above reading, it must be understood that although a person from outside West Bengal or an NRI can be member of Co-operative Housing Society in West Bengal but they have to abide by several other regulations and guidelines as provided under WBCS Act 2006 and WBCS Rules 2011.
For more information and advice about Co-operative Housing Society check here: http://advocatechenoyceil.com/2014/02/19/co-operative-housing-society-west-bengal-rules/
23 replies on “Co-operative Housing Society West Bengal and NRI Membership”
If a person give pg accommodation to their relative in one room of a two bed room co-operatve flat
in west bengal
You are not supposed to allow any relative to stay at your flat other than your family members. However, do seek permission of the concerned co-operative housing society if they would allow.
I am already a member of Proposed Co-operative housing society in New Town .. need any new declaration for membership for the same Society to HIDCO
If you already member of society and you have already declared in affidavit then you don’t need another. However, if it is another society in same municipality then you cannot own more than one property.
A member of our Cooperative Society registered in 1964 has nominated his son to hold right, title and interest of his flat after his demise. The Son has currently taken up US Citizenship and holds an OCI Card but probably has no plans currently to come back and settle in West Bengal. The Father (our member) has also made a will naming the Son as the beneficiary of the flat in our Society. I am a witness of the Will.
Kindly advise whether the son can be admitted as a member of our Society after the death of the Father (Current Member).
An OCI is often considered at par with NRI with regard to owning property in India. Under WBCS, NRI can own property in India. A flat is a heritable unit and I don’t think there should be any problem in admitting such person as a member of the Society upon death of the owner.
Sir, we are 8 members are going to form wb housing cooperative society for our own residential purpose. Sources from where we can get loan from bank or other govt. Funding agency for bulging construction? & % amount need for down payment ? individual or jointly,what is rate of interest? Is there any financial facilities for ST wb housing cooperative society.please reply me.
I am a NRI and want to be a member in a HIDCO proposed cooperative housing society.
Kindly advise what all documents would i need to become a member ?? Is IT file necessary ??
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Can OCI be member of two housing society in his name.
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My sister has inherited the the membership in a co-op hs.society in south Kolkata after the demise of her husband. She is an NRI nad an OCI. She has two sons and a daughter. All are NRI’s. She wants to nominate all the three as legal heirs of the property after her demise.Is that possible?
The society forced to nominate only one of the three children and refused to nominate all thee three. Can this be altered?
Hello Mr. Bose:
Nomination is done in favour of one person as ownership of cooperative housing society can be held by only one person. However, the rights of the legal heirs will continue to remain and can be safeguarded by other legal instruments.
My only son is NRI and going to take up foreign citizenship ( ie OCI) shortly. Can co operative society in South Kolkata refuse my son to be the nominee ( and subsequently the member after my demise ) of an apartment of the co op society owned by me.
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My wife has bought a property in a co-op society and she has OCI. One of her relative is the chairperson of the society and is not allowing her to be a member of the society and preventing the mutation. We contacted some lawyers and they mentioned that mutation cannot be done unless she gets an approval letter of membership from the society. She has the property deed registered in her name and also paying taxes and maintenance fees currently under previous owners name. Is there a legal way to get the property mutated under her name? Please advise us.
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need clear cut answer, can an oci citizen of USA be a member of a kalyani west bengal cooprative housing society.?
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I am a member of a cooperative society in Rajarhat and wanted to transfer my flat to proposed buyer.The Society informed me that they have applied for having a new executive committee and as a result old committe cannot proceed with the process for issuance of a No Objection Certificate.Since i am in urgent need of fund can i approach the Registrar for instruction to the Society for early action.. Also where is Registrar’s office for Rajarhat Housing Cooperatives?
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I have a small flat in a coopertive Housing when i was a student in Kolkata. Subsequently,I came to USA and now a Citizen of USA. I have applied for OCI which is in process.Now I would like to sell the flat and like to gift the money to be received out of the sale proceeds to my parents..How can I do ? .
Hi. I have emailed you already. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.