Farmers rejected Mamlatdar’s proposal for permanent committee elections

Ponda: Madkai farmers vetoed the proposal for standing committee elections in the meeting called by Ponda Mamlatdar. Awal Karkun from Mamlatdar’s office participated in the meeting. The farmers demanded that the Ponda Mamlatdar office should first complete the investigation into the misappropriation of funds by the Farmers Management Committee in the last six years, which the Mamlatdar had dissolved for misappropriation.

It may be recalled that there are about 600 farmers who are members of Bar Amre Khazan Tenants Association, who own vast agricultural land of about 25 lakh square meters in Madkai. The farmers’ meeting in January this year was hit by tension over allegations of massive fraud in the accounts maintained by the committee that managed the affairs during his six-year tenure. Following the farmers’ allegations, the Ponda Mamlatdar dissolved the committee and appointed a temporary ad-hoc committee to manage the affairs.

Ad-hoc committee member Premanand Gaude said, on Tuesday, the Mamlatdar had called a meeting to elect the standing committee. However the farmers refused to elect a new standing committee and demanded that the Mamlatdar office first complete the investigation into the misuse of funds by the previous managing committee.

Gowde further said that farmers face various problems in engaging in agricultural activities as dams at many places are broken and need repair. He said that after assuming charge, the ad-hoc committee also appointed an auditor and the Mamlatdar should see to it that the audit of the last six years is done immediately.

The farmers also decided that the sluice gates will not be auctioned until the manipulation in the accounts is properly investigated and the accounts are properly audited through the Mamlatdar office.