A rival group of the Chennai-based Indian Medical Practitioners’ Co-op Pharmacy and Stores (IMPCOPS) Ltd, a multi state cooperative society of siddha physicians and manufacturers, obtained a stay order from Madras High Court on Wednesday against holding annual general body (AGM) of the Society called for September 26.

The chief executive officer of the Society (secretary) has called for the AGM on September 26 at IMPCOPS office disregarding an order issued by the central registrar of cooperative societies to hold a special general body to discuss the complaints raised by a section of the members of the Society.

According to information received, the secretary instead of calling for a special general body as directed by the central registrar, called for annual general body on September 26. Against this, the rival group of the Society approached the High Court.

The petition seeking stay order was filed by Dr V Prem Anand from Kanyakumari, a member of IMPCOPS and an executive committee member of the Indian Siddha Medical Graduates Association (ISMGA).

According to Dr Selvin Innocent Das, national president of ISMGA, the central registrar of co-operative societies had directed the CEO of IMPCOPS to convene a special general body meeting to discuss the complaints raised by a section of the director board members of the Society. The registrar had also wanted him to set a single agenda for the special general body to discuss the issue of removal of membership of Dr Bose (president) and Dr Velayudham (vice president) for their activities against the interest of the society as alleged by some members.

Dr Selvin said, the secretary has not obeyed the order of central registrar, which was to call a special general body meeting within thirty days of the notice date. The notice of the registrar was signed on August 21 and the direction to the Secretary was in exercise of powers conferred under section 40 of the Multi State Co-operative Society Act 2002.

As per the provision of section 40 of the multi-state co-op society (MSCS) Act, 2002, the chief executive officer/secretary of the IMPCOPS should call the special general body meeting within one month on receipt of a requisition in writing from the central registrar or from such member or members or a proportion of the total number of members as may be provided in the bye-laws. This was specifically mentioned in the letter of the central registrar.

Dr L Padmaram Chandra, secretary of ISMGA said his association members earlier filed the complaint with the registrar after several oral and written requests made to the secretary for convening a special general body meeting. He alleged that the secretary was not heeding to the demands of the majority of the board members.