(1) All sums due from a multi-State co-operative society, or from an officer or member or past member of a multi-State co-operative society, to the Central Government or a State Government, including any cost awarded to the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, under any provision of this Act, may, on a certificate issued by the Central Registrar in this behalf, be recovered in the same manner as arrears of land revenue as first charge on the assets of such society or officer or member, as the case may be.

(2) Sums due from a multi-State co-operative society to the Central Government or a State Government and recoverable under sub-section (1) may be recovered firstly from the property of the society and secondly from the members, past members or the estates of deceased members, subject to the limit of their liability:

Provided that the liability of past members and the estate of deceased members shall in all cases be subject to the provisions of section 37.