BJP flays Ravi for inaction against corrupt co-op directors

PANJIM, JULY 30
The Opposition on Friday scored some more brownie points against Home Minister, Ravi Naik who also holds Co-operation portfolio by effectively demonstrating inaction of Registrar of Co-operatives office and police department against fraudulent directors of certain Urban Co-operative Credit Societies (UCCS).
Pernem MLA, Dayanand Sopte highlighted the issue of eleven UCCS that are facing the risk of losing public deposits totalling Rs 12.95 crore due to  financial manipulation of the directors.
During Question Hour on Friday, Pernem MLA demanded to know what has been done to protect interest of the depositors of eleven UCCS.
Referring to the case of Curti Khandepar Urban Co-operative Credit Society Ltd, Shiroda MLA, Mahadev Naik pointed out that police have not taken any action against three senior office bearers of the Society.
The directors of the society, Netaji Sambary and Audhoot Kamat whereas manager, Neelima Panandikar are still at large even as FIR was filed against three.
The Chief Minister in its reply stated that administrator has been appointed and police complaint has been filed. But Naik demanded to know what action was taken to get back documents attached when the premises of Kurti Khandepar Urban Co-operative Society Ltd, were sealed on orders of the civil court in 2007 after wife of the ex-chairman filed suit.
Currently, committee of administrators has not been able to conduct day-to-day business due to non-availability of books.
Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar charged that there has been no action from either Registrar’s office nor police since last three years thanks   to “political protection” three accused are enjoying.
Shiroda MLA revealed more embarrassing information when he pointed out that one of the accused, Audhoot Kamat managed to get loan of Rs 5 lakh from Shiroda Urban Co-operative Society even as he faced criminal charges. “See the links,” Parrikar retorted further adding that police have been seating tight on the case due to political pressure.
Doing damage control exercise, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said nobody will be allowed to get away with money of small investors and he would initiate action. He also the assured the House to hold immediate meeting with the registrar of co-operative societies and police to check into allegations levelled by the Opposition members with respect to Kurti-Khandepar Urban Co-operative Credit Society.
The Chief Minister also informed the House that he would look into why registrar of co-operatives who enjoys power to supercede directors of the society in case there is financial mismanagement not exercised powers vested in him when such cases were referred to him.