Agri cooperative NAFED is waiting in limbo without attracting any interest either from its board or Union Government. The bail out package remains elusive with both the sides –Government and NAFED Board adamant on their stand.
Who is suffering? Indeed neither the government nor Nafed. The helpless and voiceless farmers for whom this cooperative was envisioned are the victims. But then who cares.
In the last board meeting of NAFED, sources said that the board was ready to accept conditions, which would give the government far greater control of the organization. If the proposals are accepted, the government would also ensure that Nafed is not allowed to indulge in any non-core activities, especially of the nature of reckless tie-up businesses.
Topping the list of governmental conditions is the transfer of 51% equity in favour of the government till the loan is repaid to the agriculture ministry for proper supervision and financial discipline.
Other conditions include changes in the by-laws of Nafed so that it restricts itself to the core agri activities.
But what did not allow the settlement of the issue was curtailing the power of the Chairman.
Though according to reliable sources majority of board members had even agreed on this including the incumbent Chairman, but NCUI President and Vice Chairman of NAFED Chandra Pal Singh dissented and wanted to keep the powers of Chairman intact.
Government on its part is keeping mum. Having shown its displeasure on the issue of sacking of former MD C V Anand Bose, government is keeping its cards close to its chest. Attempt to contact the new MD Sanjiv Chopra proved futile as he is fighting shy of meeting the press.
Meanwhile,according to sources enquiry in the corruption cases is going on with the Central Registrar meeting each of the accused individually to find out the truth. It should be known to readers that the Enquiry Committee has sent notices to some Directors and 29 officials of NAFED.
What is feared most by the watchers of NAFED affair is that the accused will try to pass all blame on to the late Ajit Singh who is not alive today to defend him self. A simple and effective line of enquiry could be a comparison of accused’s asset from past to the present. If the growth in asset is logical then fine or else measure should be initiated to bring the culprit to books.
The fall of once prestigious agri cooperative like NAFED to such a level is matter of concern for the cooperative movement in India. Is NAFED’s future indeed in the hands of God now ?