Shri K Srinivasa Gowda was copted Director on the board of International Cooperative Alliance after an avoidable drama enacted by NCUI. The post fell vacant after the demise of Surender Jakhar, late Chairman of IFFCO.
Sensing an opportunity, Chandra Pal Singh led NCUI staked claim by writing to ICA that its Chairman should be copeted for the post. IFFCO’s argument was that since it held the post earlier, its nominee should go on the board till election takes place in November.
The fight raged for sometimes and NCUI wrote to all cooperative federations that they should write to ICA supporting NCUI President case.
Talking to Indian Cooperative.com Mrs Anita Manchanda justified NCUI claim saying that traditionally its President had been on the Board of NCUI. It was G H Amin, the former President who supported the candidature of Jakhar and that is how Iffco could gain entry on ICA board last time.
Talking to India Cooperative.com many Chairmen of cooperative federations confirmed the receipt of letter from NCUI asking them to support Chandra Pal’s candidature.
When Indian Cooperative.com contacted Mr G N Saxena, Director Cooperative Relation, he said that we did not get involved into any controversy and wrote a simple letter to ICA asking them to take Mr Gowda on ICA board in place of late Surendra Jakhar. ICA accepted and Mr Gowda was copted. He would attend two meetings of the Board of ICA before the election takes place in November.
All in all, Indian cooperatives could have avoided this embarrassment and could have settled the matter among themselves before cutting a sorry figure before the international cooperative audience.