Democracy in co-ops: IFFCO Paradip elects new union

Following the tradition of democracy in cooperatives the largest farmers’ cooperative IFFCO conducted employee union elections of its Paradip unit in which Tushar Ranjan Samantaray was declared elected President while Trupti Ranjan Puhan bagged the post of General Secretary. The other winners included

1Dilip Kumar Bugata (Vice President)

2 Nathuram Swain (Joint Secretary)

3 Ramesh Chandra Munda (Treasurer)

4 Subrata Kumar Behuria (Organising Secretary)

5 Ratnakar Biswal (Publicity Secretary)

6 Ajay Kumar Ojha (Working President)

In a fiercely contested employee union election as a strong team of about 1200 employees of Paradip who are voters also chose a team of 16 executive members.

All the five units of the cooperative giant IFFCO along with the marketing unit located in the headquarters in Delhi elect a new team every fourth year. About a fortnight ago its Phulpur unit also went through the democratic process electing Manoj Tiwary as its President.

Lauding the transparent election of Paradip, IFFCO Director R P Singh tweeted” Election of Paradeep Employees Union was held in an exemplary manner. Other recognized unions should learn. Congrats all the winners.”

Jitendra Tiwari responded saying ” IFFCO’s theory of democratic governance is well executed by Paradip elections. #applauds.”

Later talking to Indian Cooperative Mr Tiwary who himself is the President of All India Officers Federation of IFFCO said in Paradip the newly elected president has won by a whopping margin of 290 votes.

Underlining the difference in the unions of IFFCO and others Tiwary said here the members are not connected to any political party; they are all members of the IFFCO family fighting elections in a healthy democratic manner.