PANAJI
Dr Kamat is currently on the board of the bank. Other members of his panel are Adv Chandrakant Chodankar, CA Narayan Prabhudesai, Adv Shubhlaxmi Pai Raikar, banker Rawalnath Lawande, corporate consultant Sanjeev Desai, businessman Rajesh Talauikar, CA Ashish Prabhu Verlekar and banker Avdhut N Chimulkar.
Dr Kamat said, “Our panel comprises of professionals, which is needed because Goa Urban Co-Op. Bank is facing the challenges of non-performing assets (NPAs) on account of mining loans going bad.”
He further said: “There are 11 directors in the board. We couldn’t get right people for two vacancies. But, for the rest of the categories, whether general or banker or chartered accountant, we have right kind of professionals.”
Talking about the scale of the bank, CA Prabhu Verlekar said, “The balance sheet size of Goa Urban Co-Op. Bank stands at around Rs 1,000 crore. Deposits are worth Rs 850 crore, while advances amount to over Rs 550 crore. The bank has 16 branches and over 250 employees across Goa. The bank has to take a leap forward using technology, improving processes and also service quality.”
The voting will take place between 9 am and 5 pm on May 7 at polling booths across 11 talukas of the state. Dr Kamat urged the shareholders to carry any photo identity card for identification.
It was also informed that there is another panel and overall there are 16 candidates in the fray for upcoming elections. Meanwhile, the panel headed by Dr Kamat is already ahead as Adv Shubhlaxmi Pai Raikar has already been elected unopposed in the ‘Women’ category.
