PONDA: The Madkai farmers vetoed the Ponda Mamlatdar’s proposal to elect a permanent committee at the meeting called by him. The meeting was attended by Aval Karkun from Mamlatdar’s office. The farmers demanded that the Ponda Mamlatdar’s office should first complete the inquiry into the misappropriation of funds committed by Farmers Managing Committee for the past six years which was dissolved by Mamlatdar for misappropriation.
It may be recalled that there are around 600 farmers who are members of Bar Amre Khazan Tenants Association having vast agriculture land of around 25 lakh square meters, at Madkai. In January, this year there was tension in farmers meeting with allegations of massive scam in the accounts kept by the committee managing the affairs during their six years tenure. Following allegations by farmers, the Ponda Mamlatdar dissolved the committee and had appointed temporary ad hoc committee to manage the affairs.
Premanand Gaude who is an ad hoc committee member said, Tuesday Mamlatdar had called a meeting to elect a permanent committee. However farmers refused to elect a new permanent committee demanding that Mamlatdar office first complete the probe into the misappropriation of funds committed by the previous managing committee.
Gaude further said farmers face various problems in engaging in agriculture activities as at many places the bunds are breached and need repairs. He said the ad hoc committee after taking charge, even appointed an auditor, and Mamlatdar should see that the audit of past six years should be done immediately.
The farmers also decided not to conduct auction of sluice gates until proper investigation into misappropriation of accounts as well as audit of accounts is done properly through Mamlatdar’s office.
