Inspector General of Societies directs appointment of Administrator; fresh elections within 90 days
MARGAO
In an interesting development, the Inspector General of Societies, South Goa, Suraj Vernekar, has held that the United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) is an alliance of eight associations.
In an order, the Inspector General of Societies has set aside the election of the executive council held on September 30, 2022, and has ordered a fresh election for the triennial term 2025–2028.
While disposing of the complaint filed by a group of complainants, including the Gawada, Kunbi, Velip and Dhangar Federation, the All Goa Scheduled Tribes Union and the Tribal Welfare Organisation, the Inspector General has decided to submit a report to the government recommending the appointment of an Administrator under Section 20AA of the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Goa Amendment Act, 2023).
The order states that the Administrator shall conduct fresh elections for the triennial term 2025–2028 within 90 days from the date of appointment. The election is required to be held in accordance with the society’s by-laws.
The order further stated that the Administrator so appointed shall issue 30 clear days’ notice to all eight alliance associations of the society to convene a special meeting of the general council to elect a new executive council for the triennial term 2025–2028.
Disposing of the complaints dated June 9, 2025, seeking declaration, cancellation of the executive council and a permanent injunction, Vernekar said the respondents, comprising Prakash Velip, Durgadas Gaude and Nanu Bandolkar, had failed to rebut the case of the complainants.
“If they had issued notice to all members of the association, they would have placed it on record. This clearly proves that the basic requirement of 30 clear days’ notice was not complied with. On this ground alone, the election allegedly held on September 30, 2022, deserves to be set aside,” Vernekar added.
It was the case of the complainants that no annual general body meeting of UTAA was held on September 30, 2022, to elect a new executive council of the society. They further claimed that they had never received the mandatory 30 clear days’ notice to convene the annual general body meeting allegedly held on September 30, 2022, to elect the new executive council.
On the other hand, the three respondents contended that the present complaint is not maintainable, as it was not filed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Societies Registration Act, 1860. They further argued that although UTAA was described as an alliance, it was individual members who constituted the society, a fact reflected in the 14 members who initially subscribed to its formation without reference to their respective organisations.
