18A. Amalgamation of co-operative banks.- (1) Where the Registrar is satisfied that it is essential in the public interest, or in order to secure the proper management of one or more co-operative banks that two or more such banks should be amalgamated, then notwithstanding anything contained in section 17, the Registrar may, after consulting such federal society or other authority as may be notified by the State Government in the Official Gazette, by order provide for the amalgamation of those banks into a single bank, with such constitution, property, rights, interests and authorities, and such liabilities, duties, and obligations as may be specified in the order. Such order may provide for the reduction of the interest or rights which the members, depositors, creditors, employees and other persons may have in or against any bank to be amalgamated to such extent as the Registrar considers necessary in the interest of such persons for the maintenance of the business of that bank having due regard to the proportion of the assets of such bank to its liabilities. Such order may also contain such incidental, consequential and supplemental provisions as may, in the opinion of the Registrar, be necessary to give effect to the amalgamation of the banks.
(2) No order shall be made under sub-section (1), unless-
(a) a copy of the proposed order has been sent in draft to each of the banks concerned; (b) the Registrar has considered and made such modifications in the draft order as may seem to him desirable in the light of any suggestions or objections which may be received by him within such period (not being less than two months from the date on which the copy of the proposed order was received by the banks) as the Registrar may fix in that behalf, either from the banks or any members, depositors, creditors, employees or other persons concerned.
(3) On the issue of an order under sub-section (1), notwithstanding anything contained in this Actor in any law for the time being in force or in any contract, award or other instruments for the time being in force, the provisions thereof, shall be binding on all banks and their members, depositors, creditors, employees and other persons having any rights, assets, or liabilities in relation to all or any of the banks concerned.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 or the Registration Act, 1908, the order issued under sub-section (1) shall be sufficient conveyance for transfer or vesting the rights, assets and liabilities of the banks concerned as provided in the order.
(5) The amalgamation of banks under this section shall not affect any rights or obligations of the banks so amalgamated or render defective any legal proceedings, which might have been continued or commenced by or against any such banks; and accordingly, such legal proceedings may be continued or commenced by or against the amalgamated bank.
(6) Where two or more banks have been amalgamated, the registration of the bank in which the other banks are amalgamated may be continued and the registration of the other banks may be cancelled, or where the amalgamated bank is newly registered, the registration of all the amalgamating banks shall be cancelled. (7) Any order made by the Registrar under this section shall be final and conclusive, and shall not be called in question in any Court.
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