Gujarat Kheti Bank: Kotecha re-elected Chairman; Ahir replaces Patel

Nafcard Chairman Dollar Kotecha has again been re-elected as the Chairman of Gujarat State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank, popularly known as Kheti Bank.

In an election held on Monday at the bank headquarters at Ahmedabad, Jivanbhai B Ahir has replaced Faljibhai Patel on the Vice-Chairman post.

The Kheti Bank’s election was last held in 2021 for five years but according to the Gujarat State Cooperative Act Chairman and Vice-Chairman have to get elected midway–that is after every 2 and half years.

Talking to Indian Cooperative, Kotecha said, “I am thankful to the Gujarat BJP’s top leadership including Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah for putting their seal on my name. We will all work together to take the Kheti Bank to newer heights and make efforts in fulfilling the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’.

Dollarbhai Kotecha’s nomination was proposed by Jasabhai Barad and supported by Brijrajsinh Jadeja whereas Jivabhai B Ahir’s name was proposed by Ganpatsinh Solanki and supported by Govabhai Desai.

Gujarat BJP leaders including State BJP President C R Patel had put a stamp on their names. Gujcomasol Vice-Chairman Bipin Patel (Gotabhai) had sought the party mandate on the name of Chairman and Vice-Chairman in the morning and read it before the board, which was unanimously accepted by them later.

Later, the Deputy Collector Umang Patel, who was appointed as the RO, announced the name. Kotecha is also on the board of Gujarat Urban Cooperative Bank Federation, Gujarat State Cooperative Union and boards of many other cooperatives. He is also one of the founder members of Junagadh Commercial Cooperative Bank.

After the declaration of the results, Kotecha was garlanded and cheered by his supporters. An emotional Kotecha thanked his supporters. There were also floods of congratulatory messages on social media for Kotecha on his victory.

It is said that Kotecha is close to the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. Due to his close association with Shah, the Agriculture and Land Development Banks issues have become the CenterStage of rural credit disbursal.

Under his leadership, in the last 2.5 years Gujarat’s Kheti Bank has seen many developmental changes. The bank is not only growing its business but also many transformational changes are being done with the times.

It is worth mentioning that Gujarat’s Kheti Bankearned a gross profit of Rs 106 crore as on 31st March 2023 and after making provisions the net profit remained to the tune of Rs 51.19 crore in the 2022-23 FY.

The Net NPA remains Zero. The bank has 17 district offices and 176 branches at the taluka level. It is said that the 148 buildings owned by the bank include the premises of 16 district offices and 132 branches.