PANAJI
Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar, who also holds the Co-operation portfolio, will chair a State level committee constituted to examine and recommend changes in the Goa Co-operative Societies Rules, 2003.
Three other MLAs belonging to the ruling BJP-led coalition -- Aleixo Reginald Lourenco, Ulhas Tuenkar and Ganesh Gaonkar -- have also been named on the panel in which Registrar of Co-operative Socieites, Vishant S N Gaunekar will be member-secretary.
Two other BJP politicians, former MP Narendra Sawaikar and former minister Prakash Velip also find a place in the committee but no politician belonging to parties from the Opposition are in it.
Sawaikar is chairman of the prominent Goa Bagayatdar Sahakari Kharedi Vikri Saunstha Maryadit, Ponda and Velip heads Adarsh Krishi Sahakari Kharedi Vikri Saunstha Maryadit, Quepem.
Also named on the committee are the chairmen or his/her representative of the Goa State Co-operative Bank, Goa State Co-op Union Ltd Panaji and Goa State Co-op Marketing and Supply Federation Ltd., Panaji.
Vallabh Salkar who heads the Deendayal Nagari Sahakari Path Saunstha Maryadit, Bicholim and noted chartered accountant, R K Pikle also find a place on the panel as does Suresh Parrikar who formerly was the managing director of the Bicholim Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd.
The State government has constituted this panel under the chairmanship of the minister to recommend amendments in the Cooperative Societies rules and gains importance in the face of several bankruptcies among Co-operative Banks and Credit Societies going bust.
