The Governing Council of the National Cooperative Union of India which met last Thursday at its headquarters in Delhi failed to decide on the future of N Satyanarayan, the current Chief Executive. Most members felt that Satyanarayan should continue till a suitable candidate is found.
Satyanarayan who is completing 60 years next month has supporters both in Vice-Presidents G H Amin and Bijender Singh as both of them want him to continue for the time being. Amin,according to sources, said in the committee to be formed to choose a new face both the VPs- he himself and Bijender Singh should be there. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, President of NCUI is said to have been tight lipped about the matter during the discussions.
Insiders say that it would be the new Chief Executive who would be the one to oversee the NCUI elections slated early March next year. It is in this background that both the Vice-Presidents want to have a person of their choice. Since Chandra Pal has completed two terms he would not be in the fray but he would certainly like to have somebody who is his “man”, said one of the GC members on condition of anonymity.
“Given his simplicity and accessibility N Satayanarayan is the best choice”, said several GC members to Indian Cooperative. Coupled with these is the issue of Satyanarayan being the sole signatory on cheques of the Corpus Fund. In the wake of the court case, the operation of Corpus Fund has almost ceased except for the renewal of the Fund. But any change in the name of signatory, before the court judgment comes, may attract the bank’s disapproval, sources add.
Besides, there is also the issue of finding a suitable candidate for the post as for any external candidate the maximum age bar is 55. This is the age when officials of ministries become Additional Secretary and would never like to join as NCUI’s CE. Also persons such as Additional Registrar or Registrar have hardly ever shown any interest for NCUI’s job.
The GC meeting held last week also remained inconclusive on other issues of Service Rule and building a training centre in Noida. While it was felt that the issue of amendment in Service Rules may wait for some more time, the construction of the center would be considered by a subcommittee to be headed by Vice-President Bijender Singh.