MAPUSA
The annual general body meeting (AGM) of Shree Dev Bodgeshwar Saunsthan, Mapusa was on Sunday cancelled for the second time within a month amid allegations of irregularities in the conduct of the meeting and misappropriation of funds.
The president of the managing committee of the saunsthan, Anand Bhaidkar informed that the AGM has been cancelled on the request of the members (mahajans) which will be reconvened after the Chaturthi festival.
“There are allegations that we have not followed procedures in convening the AGM. We have now decided to form a core committee with members from previous managing committees and hold deliberations after the Chaturthi festival. A fresh general body will be convened by October,” Bhaidkar said.
Soon after the AGM process started at the temple hall, several members expressed their apprehension on failure to adhere to the regulations of the devasthan constitution and called for the cancellation of the meeting.
“Get the financial statement audited by a recognised chartered accountant and only then hold the AGM. This meeting is illegal and therefore has to be cancelled,” said Vinod Phadke, a member of the saunsthan.
Another member, Shashikant Kandolkar also pointed to several irregularities committed by the managing committee by ignoring the regulations of the Mahajan Act.
The President of the Shree Dev Bodgeshwar Saunsthan, Anand Bhaidkar informed that he has followed the same procedure which was followed by the previous managing committees over the years.
“The members are demanding a copy of the minutes. But we have never circulated minutes in the past and therefore I was reading the minutes during the AGM as was the practice in the past,” Bhaidkar said.
“There are allegations that we have usurped temple funds. We don’t need to pinch money donated to God,” he added.
