Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasized the urgent need to replace the colonial-era Society Registration Act, 1860, with a more practical and contemporary law for the state.
He said the new Society Registration Act would introduce updated provisions to strengthen registration, renewal, property management, and financial transparency of registered institutions.
Chairing a meeting on Monday in the presence of finance minister Suresh Khanna, the Chief Minister noted that the existing Act lacks clarity on crucial issues such as transparency, accountability, cancellation of inactive or suspicious institutions, property protection, and speedy resolution of disputes related to membership, management, and elections. Current rules on audits, financial discipline, and preventing fund misuse were also described as inadequate.
“The law must safeguard transparency, accountability, and the interests of its members,” CM Yogi said. He insisted that whether it is a trust or a society, a strong mechanism must prevent the arbitrary sale of institutional properties for vested interests. Terming the appointment of administrators in disputes “inappropriate,” he underlined that management committees should regulate institutions independently, with minimum interference from government or local administration.
Pointing out that more than eight lakh institutions are registered in Uttar Pradesh across education, healthcare, social harmony, rural development, industry, and sports, the Chief Minister said it is essential to streamline the systems governing their operations. The new Act, he added, will carry strict provisions for dissolving inactive or dubious institutions, protecting their properties, and ensuring time-bound dispute resolution.
CM Yogi also directed that registration and renewal processes be made fully online, KYC-based, and time-bound, supported by a stronger framework for accountability and financial audits.
Instructing officials to expedite the drafting of the new law, the Chief Minister said that all necessary provisions must be incorporated to ensure registered institutions function more effectively, contribute to social welfare, and uphold transparency and good governance.