The Union Cabinet today approved amendment of Constitution to provide legal backing to the cooperative societies on the lines of municipality and Panchayat. Briefing newsmen following the cabinet meeting, the Union Home Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram said that the bill to this effect will be introduced in the winter session of parliament. He also said, the bill will make it an obligation for the states to promote democratic functioning of the co-operative institutions. Giving details, he said that the office bearers of the cooperatives will have a fixed five years and the election to these institutions will be conducted by an independent authority after regular intervals. <br/><br/>The cabinet also approved the enhancement of honorarium for national research professors from 25, 000 rupees to 75,000 rupees per month besides the contingency from 50 thousand to one lakh rupees per annum and pension from 9,000 rupees to 25,000 rupees. The cabinet also approved appointment of an advisor to the Minister of Law and Justice in the rank of Secretary to the Government. The Home Minister said that another bill will be introduced in the winter session to replace the ordinance on essential commodities act on fair and remunerative price for levy sugar.<br/>