Maha Cooperatives commissioner in Pune probes 462 administrators

The state cooperatives commissioner in Pune directed his Konkan area joint registrar to carry out a detailed inquiry of 462 administrators, whose temporary appointment to several societies in the absence of management committees or elections is delayed for a long time. According to the commissioner, there is news that throughout the tenure of these administrators, a few societies took huge financial decisions, like redevelopment by new builders. Anil Kawde said that he wants the senior officials in the department to examine the ex gratia that officials are receiving from the societies, the significant decisions they have taken like redevelopment or building repair in the absence of management committees, the amount distributed by them to their subordinates in the society, the letters or documents they have written about these decisions, and irregularities or corruption in each financial dealing that they might be liable for during their tenures. A committee of core leaders would be appointed to conduct a detailed investigation, and submission of a report is needed within 15 days. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the media reports revealed 42 registrars across MMR had appointed administrators to nearly 500 cooperative housing societies in the area. According to Ashish Shelar, BJP leader and MLA, more than Rs 2,000 crore worth of redevelopment was at stake because a move started to take the common Mumbaikars right in cooperation with real estate developers. Society associations like MahaSewa demanded an immediate stop on redevelopment projects initiated without the approval of the AGM or an appointed managing committee. Jeby Patel of the All India CHS Welfare Association said an FIR should be filed against those officials who served in violation of society laws to support real estate developers. Image Source