A CORRESPONDENT
LAKHIMPUR: The shareholders and common public under Kherkota Gaon Panchayat Samabai Samiti (GPSS) under Dhakuakhana subdivision of the Lakhimpur district have expressed vehement resentment over the cancellation of the election of the GPSS which was to be held on March 24. In this context, the voters, who are the shareholders of the GPSS staged a protest programme on Friday in the office premises.
Notably, the Dhakuakhana subdivisional administration as well as Lakhimpur district administration cancelled the election of the GPSS on March 23. In this connection, an order issued by Arindam Baruah, SDO (Civil) of Dhakuakhana, vide No. DMJ/2021/PT-1/ dated 23/03/2023 said, “In pursuance of the letter of the Deputy Commissioner, Lakhimpur vide No. DEV/58/2022-DEVB-LKPR/ Dtd. 22/03/2023, the permission accorded for holding of AGM and Election of the Board of Directors of Kherkata GPSS Ltd. Dhakuakhana on 24/03/2023 in the premises of the office of the Kherkata Gaon Panchayat vide No. DMJ/2021/PT-1/ DTD. 04/03/2023 is hereby cancelled.”
Prior to this, Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur, Sumit Sattawan wrote a letter, vide No. DEV/58/2022-DEVB-LKPR, dated North Lakhimpur, the 22nd March, 2023 to the Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies of Dhakuakhana regarding the halt of the election of the Kherkota GPSS. The letter said, “With reference to the subject cited above and on the basis of enquiry report submitted by Asstt. Commissioner, Dhakuakhana through the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Dhakuakhana you are hereby directed to take immediate necessary steps to halt the Election Process of Kherkata GPSS Ltd.”
Regarding the issue, Indra Kumar Chunkrang, a shareholder of the GPSS, chairman Dipen Doley, Dhakuakhana Anchalik Panchayat chairman Siromoni Pegu, Mising Autonomous Council general member Beauty Pegu, TMPK central committee organizing secretary Jatin Pegu, Dhakuakhana district committee TMPK president Sanjib Doley and several members of various frontal organizations of the Mising community addressed a press conference at North Lakhimpur Press Club on Saturday. Addressing the media persons, Indra Kumar Chunkrang alleged that Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner Sumit Sattawan, Dhakuakhana SDO (Civil) Arindam Baruah had cancelled the election of the Kherkota GPSS under the influence of an underground political force.
“The process for holding the election of the Kherkota GPSS progressed through due procedure and Konkona Baruah, the Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Society, Dhakuakhana, designated March 24 to conduct the poll of the same by serving a notification. But the election was cancelled on March 23 suddenly without showing any distinctive reason. We came to know about the cancellation of the election upon arriving at the Kherkota Panchayat office to cast our votes. We will not tolerate such bias initiative of the administrative officers,” Indra Kumar Chunkrang stated in the press conference. He added that the shareholders of the GPSS staged strong protest by burning the effigy of the Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur, Dhakuakhana SDO (Civil) on March 24 opposing the controversial administrative move taken for cancelling the election. On the other hand, Kherkota GPSS chairman Dipen Doley said that the incumbent Board of Directors of the GPSS had already submitted resignation as a mark of protest against the cancellation of the election.
Prior to submission of the resignation, the Borad of Directors submitted a memorandum to Nandita Garlosa, the Minister for Power, Cooperation, Mines, Minerals, Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture Department, seeking her intervention over the issue. Through the memorandum, the chairman and vice-chairman of the GPSS demanded the minister to initiate steps to hold the election of the Board of Directors by convening a general meeting at the earliest.
On the other hand, through the press conference, the dignitaries issued threat that they would gherao the office of the Dhakuakhana SDO (Civil) and office of the Deputy Commissioner Lakhimpur in the upcoming days to protest regarding the issue.
Also Watch: