the goan I network
PONDA
Even as the State government has dissolved seven directors of the Goa State Co-operative Milk Producers Union (Goa Dairy) and appointed an administrator, a crucial annual general body meeting will take place on Sunday morning.
In a related development, Goa Dairy MD Dr Navsu Sawant said the administrator had not yet taken charge and added that he continued to be the managing director as he had not received the notice of suspension.
However, it is unclear who will chair the meeting on Sunday, since seven directors in the BoD have been dissolved and the chairman ceases to remain in the post.
In an order passed on Friday, Registrar of Co-operative Societies Sanjiv Gadkar said the directors of the Society, Dhananjay Dessai, Vithoba Dessai, Baburao Dessai, Naresh Malik, Gurudas Parab, Mahadav Sahakari and Rajendra Sawant, were disqualified to continue on the Board of Directors.
Gadkar in his order quoted section 59(11) of the Goa Co-operative Act and two inspection reports which found discrepancies, illegalities and irregularities in the working of the directors which was detrimental to the Society to dissolve the BoD.
The order also held four former directors namely, Shrikant Naik, Vijaykant Gaonkar, Shivanand Pednekar and Ulhas Sinari, responsible for the loss caused by the decision to purchase fill packed machine, ice-cream plant, recruitment of staff and purchase of raw material which it said will be determined and quantified by filing separate misappropriation proceedings under section 82 of the Act.
Gadkar also held the managing director Dr N C Sawant “wholly responsible” for the irregularities and mismanagement and placed him under suspension in the order.
A senior bureaucrat, Damodar Moraskar, was appointed as administrator at the Goa Dairy.
On Saturday morning, Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies from Ponda and his staff were present in the Goa Dairy. But they were not aware if Damodar Moraskar had taken charge as administrator.
When contacted in the evening, Dr Sawant said since the administrator had not taken charge and he had not been served the notice of suspension, he continued to remain as managing director.
“I am in the office. I will fully cooperate with the administrator if an enquiry is set up by him. So far, I have not received any notice of suspension and so, I still hold my post. I will be also present for the AGM on Sunday,” said Dr Sawant.
Asked if Rajesh Fal Desai would remain as chairman of Goa Dairy since the directors had been disqualified, Dr Sawant was reluctant to comment in the matter.
When contacted, one of the disqualified directors said since the seven directors have been disqualified, the chairman’s post stands cancelled.
“He can attend the AGM on Sunday, but I don’t think he can chair it,” he said.
While Moraskar could not be contacted for comments despite efforts, sources informed that some of the disqualified directors were planning to challenge the order in the high court.
