PONDA: The Goa Dairy farmers are upset over the delay of holding elections to elect a new office bearers and chairman.
It is pertinent to note that the Board of Directors elections were held recently but till now no meeting has convened to elect the new chairman to take the charge of Goa Diary, which is going through financial crisis.
According to farmers, the milk sale is reduced and cattle feed plant is almost not functioning since last three weeks; besides lot of issues are affecting the Goa Dairy operations. However, the date for elections of chairman is not declared yet. Farmers are upset as there is no board/chairman to take decisions despite the BoDs being elected. These all has affected the functioning of the Goa Dairy.
The farmers want to know why there is a delay and when the meeting will be called to elect the chairman.
“Normally the new chairman was elected within a week after holding BoD elections but it’s almost 12 days, the Registrar of Co-operative Societies (RCS) is yet to fix the date to elect the chairman.
Some farmers on condition of anonymity said that the Goa Dairy’s financial condition is precarious under the government-appointed administrator since last three years. They suspect that there is an attempt to run Goa Dairy into losses so as to allow the entry of Sumul Milk in the State.
When contacted Rajesh Faldesai, whose panel is elected by winning nine seats out of 12 in the BoDs elections, said that he has received a copy issued by the RCS directing the presiding officer to conduct elections for office bearers and chairman of Goa Dairy.
He said, “Many farmers are questioning me as to when the office bearers and chairman will be elected.”
“Farmers are worried over declining sale of Goa Dairy milk. They are also facing hardships because the cattle feed plant is not functioning and they are forced to procure cattle feed by running from pillar to post,” Faldesai said.
Surprisingly when Herald contacted Raju Magdum, presiding officer, appointed to conduct elections said that till date he had not officially received the RCS notice for holding the elections. He said that he will visit RCS office on Monday in this connection.
Magdum however said that the chairman has to be elected within 30 days after declaring the election results.
It is learnt from farmers that the assistant election officer and assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies in an order dated June 17 had directed Raju Magdum, Special Auditor South Zone Margao as presiding officer to conduct elections of office bearers within 30 days of date of declaration of election results.
Meanwhile, when Herald tried to contact Administrator of Goa Dairy Agostin Menezes he could not be reachable for his comment as his phone was out of coverage area.
On the other hand, Co-operation Minister Subash Shirodkar said that the presiding officer should decide the date for the elections of office bearers and new chairman.
