Ahmedabad

Hardening its stand against cooperative societies and banks in the state that are functioning without holding elections in specified time, the Gujarat government today announced appointment of “custodians” on such bodies to initiate the election process.

Around 100 such cooperative institutions have not conducted elections even after the expiry of the five-year term of the respective management committees, said state Health Minister and government spokesperson Nitin Patel.

As per the new provisions of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2015, which was recently passed in Assembly and also approved by Governor O P Kohli, the government is now empowered to appoint custodians on such societies to initiate the process of election.

Patel said the government today appointed custodians in two such co-operative institutions who have been found to be delaying the election process.

“Today, we have appointed our custodians in Mehsana District Central Co-operative Bank and Dudhsagar Dairy in Mehsana. These custodians will now make arrangements to hold elections in these societies within a period of one year,” he said.

He said the new Act was brought to keep a tab on societies which are not holding elections for one reason or another.

“We found that the managing committees keep delaying the election through various means, such as acquiring stay from court. We found that there are 100 such societies in the state. In coming days, we will also appoint custodians in those societies to hold elections as per the new Act,” Patel said.

He also slammed Gujarat Co-operative Marketing Society Ltd (GUJCOMASOL) chairman Natu Patel, who is accused of a massive Uria scam, for “deliberately” delaying the election for ten years to remain in power.

“Taking cover of court, Natu Patel has not conducted elections in GUJCOMASOL for ten years and still continues to function as chairman even after his term got over. To stop such practice, we have brought this new Act,” Patel said.
– DeshGujarat