The Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001

Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act was enacted by the legislative assemble of Andhra Pradesh in 2001. The act relates to registration of societies situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh promoting fine arts, crafts, charity, sports , literature, culture or any other public service connected matters.

Definitions Used in the Act:

Here is a list of some of most significant terms and their official definitions as used in the official draft of the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001.

Alter: Alter or alteration as mentioned in Act covers all additions as well as supplying of commissions.

Bye-Laws: Bye-laws as described in the Act relate to all bye-laws of the society as drafted in accordance with the act.

Committee: Committee relates to any person or body of persons who manage the affairs of the society in accordance with its bye-laws.

Court: Court as per the Act signifies the city civil courts of Hyderabad and Secunderabad as well as principal civil courts or original jurisdiction.

Document: A Document means any notices, summons, requisition or order obtained from any legal entity issued for the pursuance of the provisions of the act.

Financial Year: Financial year as defined in the Act signifies the period of twelve months ending with 31st March of each year. The accounts of any society falling under the act must be made public for each financial year.

Government: Government signifies the state government for the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Member: Member as per the Act is any individual(s) or corporate bodies who have been admitted to be part of any society as members or removed from the same in accordance with society bye-laws.

Memorandum: Memorandum is understood as the first memorandum of association released at the time of formation of any society.

Notification:  Notification means any official publication in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette.

Society: Any society that is registered or deemed to be registered under the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001 is termed as Society.

Key Features of the Act:

Societies Which May be Registered Under the Act: According to the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act of 2001, any seven or more persons forming a society for promotion of art, craft, charity, literature, culture or any other public purpose may be registered under the act. The society must not have any corporate or any individual associated with the same.

Memorandum and Bye-laws to be filed with the Registrar:  For the successful registration of a society under the Act of 2001, an application must be filled with the District Registrar along with a Memorandum of Association of the society and its bye-laws. The memorandum must include the name of the society, its aims and objectives along with the name, complete postal address and occupation of the members of the committee.

Contents of Bye-Laws: The bye-laws for successful registration of a society under the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001 must include the identity of the society including its name and other details along with activities intended. The bye-laws must have a clear listing of membership details for the society including eligibility, admission and withdrawal of membership as well as the details of the general body. Other details to be listed are the financial details along with funds to be raised, appointment of auditors, liability of members and all internal matters of settlement and dissolution.

Society Office: From the day of filing the registration up to the twenty eighth day of registration, the society must have an operational office in the district of its registration. The society must have a name plate outside the premises in a language that is legible to all concerned. Every society must have its name engraved on its seal.

Register of Members: The society needs to maintain a register with details of each member. The details must include the name, address, occupation along with the date of membership and specimen signatures of the concerned member.

Accounts and Records:  Every society needs to keep its accounts and records in place along with the copy of its registered memorandum and its bye-laws. The financial accounts of all assets and liabilities and copy of audit reports must be available in the society head office at all times.

Society Committee: Each society needs to have a committee with a minimum of three members entitled to vote at the general body meeting of the society.

Supply of Society Balance Sheets: Each member must be supplied copy of the balance sheet and statement of accounts along with the auditor’s report each year.

Society Meetings: The frequency of society meetings must be clearly defined in the bye-laws and society meetings must be held as scheduled. The minutes of each meeting must be signed by the person chairing the meet.

Dispute Resolution: In case of any dispute arising among the committee or members of the society, the society can file an application in the District Court concerned or seek amends under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act of 1966.