The 40th Annual General Meeting of IFFCO held in N Delhi on Thursday rejected MD and Joint MD offer of relinquishing houses gifted to them by the last AGM vehemently.
There was widespread anger among members against media hounding. Chants and slogans in favour of IFFCO MD U S Awasthi rented the packed auditorium of NCUI-the venue of AGM.
Among other things, this AGM was crucial as it had to take a stand on the issue of houses allotted to IFFCO MD and Joint MD in its last year’s meeting. Members after members declared their unflinching support to Managing Director US Awasthi and exhorted him to accept the gifts given to him and Joint MD in the last AGM.
Mangi Lal Danga, a delegate from Rajasthan said ” Since the year 92-93 I have seen Awasthiji working and today he has made each member proud by taking Iffco to the pinnacles of success. What we gave him in return is pittance. “We reject his offer of returning the gift, Danga added amid thunderous applause from the members.
Vijay Shankar Rai, a delegate from Gazipur said “AGM is supreme and we should not pay heed to any Tom Dick or Harry sitting on judgment on our decision”, referring obliquely to the media hounding.
Manjit Singh Bharwal from Punjab said that Awasthiji is synonymous with honesty. If he desired he could have amassed billions in no time. Even a gift of five houses is less for an impeccable character like Awasthi, he went effusive.
Chandra Kant Dwivedi, another delegate reminded Iffco Managing Director U S Awasthi that the decision of AGM is supreme. “You cannot dismiss it as it binding on all”, he added referring to Awasthi’s bid to return the gift.
S S Patil, RGB member from Karnataka, V K Thumar, former MP and many others echoed the popular mood that the gifts given to MD and Joint MD are irreversible. The AGM was raring to take on any power on this emotive issue.
Soon the clamour for Iffco MD’s response to AGM’s decision began to rise in intensity and ultimately forced Awasthi to speak. “ I am deeply touched by the feelings of you all. We all are your servant and as such we have no rights to disobey you. Though I am not Lord Rama but I also wanted to pass the test, he said to the assembled members amid pin-drop silence.
In his brief address Awasthi also emphasized on the virtue of service and said that serving farmers and serving farming are the most important things in life.
The assembled crowd dispersed with a feeling of satisfaction as IFFCO has achieved a profit of Rs 1107 crore-highest so far. Talking to Indian Cooperative, a delegate from Darbhanga Gopal Sarawgi said ‘We are safe in the hands of Professionals like U S Awasthi”.
