JUDGMENT
P.S. Mishra, C.J.
1. Although there is some technical problem before us that learned single Judge has not assigned any reasons, in fact, has not made the order to set aside Government Order in G.O. Rt. No. 1343 dated 31-10-1995, under which, in purported exercise of Rule 22-AAA of the Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Societies Rules, 1964, the State Government has directed that the Elections to the Co-operative Town Bank, Tirupati purported to have notified to be held on 5-11-1995 be postponed until further orders. Having examined the contents of the said notification, we are of the considered view that Rule 22-AAA is not attracted on the facts on which the impugned Government Order is passed.. The order of the State Government reads as follows:
“Whereas, the Election Officer of Co-operative Town Bank, Tirupati has issued a Notification for conducting elections to the Managing Committee of Co-operative Bank, Tirupati, on 5-11-1995;
(2) An, whereas, it has come to the notice of Government that there are nearly 70,000 voters and there is likelihood of large scale impersonation for want of proper identification of voters;
(3) And whereas, the Association of Presidents of Urban Co-operative Banks have represented through the Commissioner for Co-operation and Registrar of Co-operative Societies that to reduce impersonation and for ensuring fair elections, photo identity cards may be insisted upon for election to the Urban Co-operative Banks and the proposal is under consideration of the Government;
(4) And whereas, Government issued orders in the Telegram postponing the elections to the Co-operative Urban Bank, Tirupati until further orders;
(5) Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 22-AAA of APCS Rules, 1964 and in confirmation of the orders issued in the telegram read above, Government hereby direct that the elections to the Co-operative Town Bank, Tirupati notified to be held on 5-11-1995 be postponed until further orders.”
2. It clearly discloses that the Government is still considering whether photo identity cards be insisted upon for election to the Urban Co-operative Banks. The Government, therefore, has not decided that without photo identity cards to each of the voters there shall be no elections. Section 31 of the. A.P. Co-operative Societies Act, 1964 enjoins the general body of society to constitute a committee in accordance with the bye-laws and entrust the management of the affairs of the society to such committee and under sub- section (2) that the term of office of the Committee or any of its members or of the President elected in accordance with the provisions of sub-Section (5) would be five years from the date of election of the members of the committee provided that the term of office of five years would be applicable only to a committee or its members or the President elected in any ordinary election conducted after the commencement of the Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Societies (Second Amendment) Act, 1995 and the term of office of any committee or its members or the President holding office at such commencement shall be the same for which they were elected under the law in force when they were elected and it would be the duty of the Registrar to hold elections to the office of the members of the Committee before the expiry of their term. It is not in dispute, in the instant proceeding, that process of election started strictly in accordance with the above provisions and in accordance with the procedure in this behalf provided under Rule 22 aforementioned. Interference under Rule 22-AAA thus in the election which was being held strictly in accordance with the law would come for the reasons to be recorded in writing for its postponement or alteration of the date or the dates of election and the earlier notification would have stood rescinded in all respects under the said rule (vires of which rule, as we are informed, was questioned in some of the writ petitions which are pending disposal) only when there is such a reason available which is germane to implementation of the requirements of the provisions of the Art and the Rules. A matter, on the representation of the Presidents who were holding office before the election process started, which is pending consideration with the Government cannot provide a reason for continuing such persons who have served their tenure of five years only because the representation is being considered by the Government. Hence the Government Order, in our view, is outside the scope of Rule 22-AAA, learned single Judge has rightly rejected the same and held in the impugned judgment that election process has to be completed from the stage it has been left Over and directed to hold elections within three months.
3. In view of the above, we find no merit in the appeals.
4. It is, however, represented by the learned Government Pleader that since appeals had been filed, steps pursuant to the directions of the learned Single Judge had not been taken and prays for extension of the time granted by the learned single Judge. We are inclined to accede to the said prayer and extend by six weeks the time granted by the learned single Judge.
The appeal are dismissed.