Uttarakhand Cooperators, even that of BJP fold–are scared of two names-Dan Singh Rawat and Dhan Singh Rawat. While Dan Singh is the Chairman of State Cooperative Bank, Dhan Singh is the cooperation minister of the state.
They are accused of removing Chairmen of one co-op body after another by whatever means possible. Several BJP co-operators have complained against the junior Rawat who is said to enjoy enormous confidence of the minister.
The latest case is that of Uttarakhand based Dugdh Utpadak Sahakari Sangh. BJP cooperators associated with this co-op body say that Uttarakhand State Cooperative Bank Chairman Dan Singh Rawat is constantly conspiring against us. They accuse him and his gang of indulging in questionable moves to get them out of cooperative bodies in a pre-planned manner.
In the latest case, former Chairman of Chamoli Dugdh Utpadak Sahakari Sangh Dhan Singh Negi explained to Indian Cooperative how he was removed from the post of chairman.
Negi informed, “I have won three elections of Chamoli Dugdh Utpadak Sahakari Sangh but in a pre-planned manner Uttarakhand State Cooperative Bank Chairman Dan Singh Rawat, Former Chairman USDF Rajveer Singh and Mukesh Bhora, Nainital Sahakari Dugdh Sangh and others removed me from this position”.
“When our government of BJP took charge, I was the one who had won the election against the congress leader Rajeshwari Negi, former Chairperson of Chamoli Dugdh Utpadak Sahakari Sangh. I had barely assumed charge for 8 months when the State Cooperative Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat suspended the board of Dugdh Utpadak Sangh only in Garhwal Mandal”, changed Negi, exposing the bitter fued brewing in BJP camp in the state.
For a few months the government appointed an administrator in Chamoli Dugdh Utpadak Sahakari Sangh. Then on 2 November 2018 I was again re-elected as the Chairman of Sangh with the support of BJP cooperators.
Later, on 17th December I was again removed from the position in a pre-planned manner by the government. The latter made baseless allegations against me” he said.
Now, Vishweri Devi, Vice-Chairperson of Dugdh Sangh is acting as the Chairman. ” I am associated with BJP for over 33 years and held several top positions in BJP’s association at Chamoli District. But giving in to vested interests, these cooperators including Dan Singh Rawat are conspiring against us”, he lamented.
There are 6 Dugdh Utpadak Sanghs in Garhwal Mandal and 5 Dugdh Utapadak Sanghs in Kumaon Mandal.
Earlier, Rekha Devi Chairperson of the Uttarakhand Dairy Cooperative Federation (USDF) has similarly accused Rawat and team for trying to dislodge her by making false allegations such as she contested the election against norms. Later, the State Registrar asked her to explain her position in the matter. The issue has set tongues wagging in the cooperative circles.