Where due to scarcity, drought, flood, fire or any other natural calamity or 4[rainy season or due to scarcity, drought, flood, fire, hailstorm or any other natural calamity farmers, farm labourers or other persons on large scale have suffered resulting in reduction in numbers of voters and on the implementation of any Government Scheme made for their rehabilitation, there is likelihood of increase in numbers of voters or due to] any election programme, of the State Legislative Assembly or Council or House of the People or a local authority, coinciding with the election programme of any society or class of societies, in the opinion of the State Government, it is not in the public interest to hold elections to any society or class of societies, the State Government may, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or the rules, or bye-laws made 1 Sub-section (15) was substituted by Mah. 50 of 2018, s. 3.
2 This proviso was inserted by Mah. 27 of 2020, s. 3.
3 Section 73CC was inserted by Mah. 24 of 2015, s. 2.
4 These words were substituted for the words, “rainy season or” by Mah. 14 of 2020, s. 2.
60 The Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 [1961 : Mah. XXIV thereunder, or any other law for the time being in force, for reasons to be recorded in writing, by general or special order, postpone the election of any society or class of societies, for a period not exceeding six months at a time, which period may further be extended so, however, that, the total period shall not exceed one year in the aggregate.]