The Governing Council of apex co-op body in the country NCUI is scheduled to meet today in Amritsar, in which crucial decision regarding the date of elections to choose a new board was to be taken. But a letter from Central Registrar arising out of arbitration filed by NLCF against reorganization of constituencies has now changed all this.
The Central Registrar has asked NCUI not to take any election related decision and reply to its query by January 3rd on the issue of reorganization of constituencies.
Talking to Indian Cooperative NCUI President Dr Chandra Pal Singh Yadav said “Yes we have received such a letter. We will discuss election issues but would not take any decision as advised by the arbitrator”. On the issue of replying to the arbitrator, Yadav said our advocate (most probably VP Singh) would represent NCUI case before the arbitrator. Yadav was, however not happy with the development and said timely election in the apex co-op body is important in terms of conveying message down the line.
The term of the current GC is ending in February and a decision on appointment of Returning Officer to oversee elections was to be taken, said a top official of NCUI. Readers would recall that the Ministry has issued a notification in this regard.
Talking to Indian Cooperative NCUI’s Chief Executive N Satyanarayan said “We have written to the Central Registrar for the list of approved names of ROs, the same was to be presented before the GC which is the Supreme body to take a call on the matter”. But now the GC may discuss Central Registrar’s query and decide upon an appropriate reply to it, added the CE.
On the names of Returning Officers, Indian Cooperative has gathered that the Central Registrar has provided only two names in the much-touted Panel from which NCUI has to choose from. These names are of retired IAS officers from Bhopal and Gwalior.
There is also murmur on the issue of NCUI sticking to the deadline for election. The Act stipulates that within three months of the end of the tenure, a new Board is to be constituted. But the arbitration may lead to its postponement, said an official hinting at a series of replies and counter replies at arbitration.
Besides, there are many issues such as fulfilling the criterion of notice period, preparation of a voter list after clearance of dues, etc before the election. Sources say as these have not been initiated so far and there is little chance these would be completed by February, when the tenure of the current GC ends.
“The issue is not if the elections would be over by February; the issue is if it would be completed within three months after that. If it does not, then the election may drag for infinity”, said a senior GC member on condition of anonymity.