VALPOI
The demolition of a building belonging to the Sattari Taluka Farmers’ Cooperative Society at Honda sparked a heated debate at the society’s 47th Annual General Meeting held at Laxmibai Hall, Valpoi, with members demanding legal action against the Honda Village Panchayat and stronger measures to safeguard the society’s property.
Members alleged that the building was demolished by the Honda Village Panchayat without prior notice or information to the society. Raising serious concerns over the manner in which the structure was demolished, members demanded that the managing committee take immediate legal steps to protect the society’s ownership and property rights.
Following the discussion, the AGM approved a resolution authorising the managing committee to initiate legal proceedings against the Honda Village Panchayat.
Society Chairman Sagun Wadkar informed the members that a legal notice had already been served on the panchayat in connection with the demolition. However, the society had not received a satisfactory response, he said. Wadkar stated that several discussions had been held with the sarpanch and panch members in an attempt to resolve the issue. Efforts were also made to settle the matter amicably through a meeting with local MLA Deviya Rane, but the issue remained unresolved.
Society director Bhimrao Rane raised the demolition issue during the AGM, leading to a detailed discussion among members. Several members sought clarification from the managing committee regarding the steps taken so far and questioned whether sufficient efforts had been made to protect the society’s property.
Members demanded that the matter be brought to the notice of the Panchayat Directorate, Sattari Block Development Office and other concerned authorities so that the circumstances surrounding the demolition could be examined and appropriate action taken.
The ownership of the land on which the building stood was another major issue raised at the meeting. Members maintained that the land continues to belong to the society despite the demolition of the structure.
Former chairman and member Dipaji Rane questioned the reported payment of rent to the village panchayat in connection with a mobile tower installed on the society’s property. He called for all relevant land records, agreements and other documents to be examined to determine the society’s legal rights over the property and establish whether rental income is due to the society.
Members also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the functioning of the cooperative society. Member Ram Chorelekar urged the managing committee to maintain proper oversight of financial and administrative affairs and adopt necessary safeguards to protect the interests and assets of the society.
Alleged financial irregularities involving former or existing employees also came up for discussion. Member Namdev Kerkar pointed out that some matters were already before the courts and demanded that all relevant transactions and records be properly examined. He said responsibility should be fixed wherever the society had suffered financial loss and appropriate legal action should follow if wrongdoing was established.
In a significant decision concerning the society’s lending operations, members approved an increase in the loan limit from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. While welcoming the move as beneficial to farmer members, they urged the managing committee to exercise caution while sanctioning loans and ensure that repayment capacity, documentation and applicable rules were properly considered.
The AGM also appreciated the society’s efforts to support farmers through the sale of cashew grafts. More than 1.5 lakh cashew grafts have reportedly been sold to farmers in Sattari over the past three years with the support of the Valpoi Divisional Agriculture Office. Member Uday Sawant moved a resolution congratulating the managing committee, which was unanimously approved.
Employees of the Chalavli branch who performed well in the banking sector were also felicitated during the meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Wadkar said the society had completed 47 years of service and had undertaken several initiatives for the welfare of farmers. He appealed to members to contribute towards its further development and urged them to participate in the ‘Chaturthi Bhet’ scheme and utilise the society’s shopping facilities during Ganesh Chaturthi.
The meeting was attended by Vice-Chairman Shahaji Desai, directors Pandurang Gawas, Narayan Gaonkar, Sitaram Desai, Suranga Naik, Advocate Ganpat Gaonkar and Valpoi Divisional Agriculture Officer and director Vishwanath Gawas, along with office-bearers, employees and members.
Executive Director Jabina Khan welcomed the gathering and read the minutes of the previous AGM. Members actively participated in discussions on property, finance, lending, administration and farmer-oriented initiatives. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Vice-Chairman Shahaji Desai.
