Ex-Chairman of Biscomaun Sunil Singh bounced back as Chairman of Dumari Bujurg Primary Agriculture Credit Co-operative Society after winning a fierce legal battle against the State government of Bihar.

The Joint Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Saran at Chapra has held the election of the office bearers and the members of the managing committee of the Dumari Bujurg Primary Agriculture Credit Co-operative Society, Sonepur Block, District-Saran as also the election of the chairman of the said society as illegal and has set aside the same in April.

Mr Y V Giri, Counsel for the petitioners raised the issue of jurisdiction of Joint Registrar in the matter and sought interim relief from the Patna High court.

Basing his arguments on the Bihar State Election Authority Act, 2008, Giri said that Act provides that no election to a post of a body would be called in question except by way of an election petition and shall be filed before an authority under an Act regulating such body and in absence thereof before a Munsif in whose jurisdiction such institution or establishment or organization or body is situated.

High Court observed that in the light of Giri’s argument the order passed by the Joint Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Saran Division, is wholly without jurisdiction.

In the order the court said “Court on a writ petition filed by the members of the managing committee of the Dumari Bujurg Primary Agriculture Credit Agriculture Society questioning the very same order which is put to challenge in the present proceedings.

It is submitted that a bench of this Court while considering the statutory provisions and having regard to the circumstances governing the issue, by order dated 18.05.2012 passed in C.W.J.C. No. 9051 of 2012 (Annexure-12), while issuing notice to the private respondents has been pleased to stay the operation of the order”.

Bihar has turned into the field of cooperative wars with government and erstwhile chairmen and directors of cooperative bodies at loggerheads.The state sponsored cooperative conference on 26th May came soon after the conference of 23rd May which was organized by former Biscomaun Chairman Sunil Singh.

“A panicky government did not allow us to use Sri Krishna Memorial Hall even though number of cooperative leaders were running into thousands”, said Sunil Singh while talking to Indian Cooperative.

While Sunil Singh’s programme was attended by many top national cooperative leaders including NCUI’s President Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, the government sponsored programme drew women cooperators and aimed at empowering them.

Sunil Singh accuses Government of masquerading BJP women cell members as cooperators in want of genuine women cooperators in the state. “Cooperative officials were threatened in each district and asked to contact BJP Mahila cell to send volunteers. There are only about 264 women PACs Chairman in the states”, he said.

He also said that male PACs Chairmen numbering into about 8500 were not invited as government were scared of their anger on lack of payment of paddy prices running into Rs 800 crores.

Detractors of Sunil Singh however accuse him of double standards. They accuse him of advocating the case of PACs Chairmen whom he had always fought with. “Since it suits his political expediency he is talking on behalf of PACs Chairmen”, they argue.

He has no courage to contest election and is fighting the Bihar Election Authority set up recently in the court. How can he talk on behalf of those who have been elected through the new system? He is a cooperative leader who fears transparency and has been reduced to mere paper tiger status, they alleged.

The former Biscomaun Chairman Mr Sunil Singh is organizing a State level Cooperative conference on the eve of International Year of Cooperative, 2012 (IYC 2012) in Patna, Bihar on Wednesday.

The occasion is a sort of show of strength on the part of Sunil Singh and his team as the Nitish government of Bihar has divested Sunil Singh and his team of all the powers in a long-drawn fight between RJD and JDU factions.

“The programmes is going to be a big hit as delegates from all across the state are participating in the function”, informed Sunil Singh to Indian Cooperative.

“Everybody except those belonging to family of late Tapeshwer Babu is participating in the programme”, Sunil Singh added referring obliquely to Vishal Singh, the grandson of late cooperative leader.

Earlier, Vishal Singh who is competing in the game of show of strength with the former Biscomaun Chairman Sunil Singh called a press conference in Patna and castigated Sunil Singh as a flop leader who bled Biscomaun to death. Vishal, son of late Nafed Chairman Ajit Singh demanded an enquiry into the wrong-doings of Biscomaun.

Sunil Singh on his part has succeeded in ensuring the presence of cooperative big-wigs such as NCUI President Chandra Pal Singh, Nafed present Chairman Bijender Singh , NCCF Chairman Virendra Singh and others in the show.

It would indeed be tough for likes of NCUI President Chandra Pal Singh and others to strike a balance as both the fighting factions—Vishal and Sunil Singh owe allegiance to them.

While Chandra Pal Singh has extended fatherly protection to Vishal Singh in the not-so- good world of cooperatives after his father’s demise, Sunil Singh also enjoys his blessings since his continuation on Kribhco board despite expulsion from Biscomaun is due to Chandra Pal Singh’s large-heartedness.

About 3000 delegates are expected to participate.

Sunil Singh the former Chairman of Biscomaun who was locked in a fierce battle with the State Cooperative Minister Ramadhar Singh has lost his Chairmanship of Saran Primary Agricultural Society (PACS).

His election to the post was challenged by one Ram Sahay who got the verdict finally in his favour. Serving a major jolt to Sunil Singh, this development is sure to rattle the high profile cooperative leader.

The Joint Registrar is said to have issued orders setting aside the election of Sunil Singh as the Chairman of Saran PACS, said one of his detractors.

Former Biscomaun Chairman Sunil Singh, however contests this decision and told Indiancooperative.com that Joint Registrar was pressurized in canceling Dumri-Burj elections.Minister threatened Joint Registrar of transfer to Saharsa in a public meeting if he fails to act on Minister advice, Me Singh added.

Mr Singh further added that the state government had to amend cooperative act four times to get rid of one person. When they failed every time they conspired to hit me below the belt. He vowed to appeal against the decision in the court of Registrar and would go to High Court if justice is not delivered.

Bihar is a hotbed of cooperative politics in which political tussle between RJD and JDU gets played out. Right after the JDU’s accession to power, efforts to oust Sunil Singh from Biscomaun were set in motion. Sunil Singh is held to be close to former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Mr Singh defended it for quite a long. The battle touched its low-point when an old case was revived against the Cooperative Minister which cost him not only his Minister-ship but also imprisonment. Once out of jail, Ramadhar Singh worked out a strategy and ensured legal victory for the government. He dissolved Biscomaun’s board divesting Sunil Singh and team of all powers.

Readers could recall that Election Authority was set up in Bihar to ensure free and fair election to Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society a couple of years ago. The experiment had been a huge success leading to a reliable network of PACS across the state. Now all agricultural related schemes of the state government are being implemented through PACS.

In this changed scenario the importance of PACS need no special emphasis. The loss of former Biscomaun Chairman could be understood better in this light .

Sunil Singh, however continues to be on the board of fertilizer cooperative Kribhco.His opponents are now gunning for his removal from the board citing MSCS Act. They argue that he was a nominated member representing Biscomaun.And when he is no more Chairman of the Cooperative Federation, how could he remain on the board of Kribhco, they ask.

Credit goes to Dr Sunil Singh, former Chairman of Biscomaun and a Director at KRIBHCO who through a RTI, secured the list of those against whom recovery orders have been issued by the Central Registrar.

Detail of “who owns how much” was, however not made available citing some clause by the Ministry. Talking to indiancooperative.com Sunil Singh vowed to pursue the matter till the entire truth is out.

We produce below the names

1. Mrs. Meena Singh, W/o Late Shri Ajit Kumar Singh, ex-chairman, NAFED
2. Shri Vishal Singh, S/o Late Shri Ajit Kumar Singh, ex-chairman, NAFED
3. Shri C.B. Holkar, the then vice chairman & member, Business committee, NAFED
4. Shri Bijender Singh, the then Local Director/Member Business Committee, NAFED
5. Shri G. Nagamarpally, the then Member, Business Committee, NAFED
6. Shri R.S. Joon, the then Local Director/Member  Business Committee, NAFED
7. Shri K. Srinivasa Gowda, the then Member, Business Committee, NAFED
8. Shri Mostafa Sardar, the then Member Business Committee, NAFED
9. Shri M.L. Danga,  the then Member, Business Committee, NAFED
10. Shri S.B.Asthankar, the then Member, Business Committee, NAFED
11. Shri Alok Ranjan, the then Managing Director, NAFED
12. Shri Homi Rajvansh, the then AMD, NAFED
13. Shri N.N Subramaniam, the then Branch manager, NAFED, Chennai
14. Shri K. Subramaniam, the then Branch Manager, NAFED, Hyderabad
15. Shri R.P. Gaba, the then Branch Manager, NAFED, Ahmedabad
16. Shri S.K. Maggu, the then Accounts Officer,  NAFED
17. Shri S. Sunder, the then Branch Manager, NAFED, Pune
18. Shri K.M. Ramamurthy, the then Branch Manager, NAFED, Hyderabad/Bangalore
19. Shri Sanjay Singh, the then AM-II , NAFED
20. Sh. Kunwar Singh, the then manager (tie-up) NAFED
21. Sh. Ashok Kanwar, the then Manager NAFED
22. Shri D. Masih, the then AAO, NAFED
23. Shri R.S. Negi, the then AM-II, NAFED
24. Shri M. Ram Mohan Rao, the then Regional Manager(SZ) NAFED, Chennai
25. Shri S.N. Solanki, the then Branch Manager, NAFED, Azadpur, Delhi

As is obvious from the list, 9 to 10 of the names are those of cooperative leaders.There are two high ranking government of India officials; one is Alok Ranjan who is an IAS and another is Homi Rajvansh who is an IRS officer and was recently arrested from Agra where he served as Income Tax Commissioner. Rest of them belong to NAFED cadre.

Bihar Cooperative leaders of various cooperative societies led by Ranjit Singh, son of Late Tapeshwar Singh,Vishal Singh , son of late Ajit Singh, Vinay Sahi, former director of Biscomaun demanded elections of recently superseded board of  state based cooperatives.

Readers may recall that state government superseded the board of several cooperative federations including Biscomaun and Bihar State Housing Federation on Monday. It also superseded the board of 14 district cooperative banks and board of about 300 Vyapar mandals across the state.

Addressing a press conference in Patna on Saturday Chairman of PACS from Buxer, Ranjit Singh said that some people are trying to hold onto the seat of power despite completion of five years of their tenure. Transparency is a must in the working of cooperatives. Cooperative leaders who have completed  their term should make way for democratic election on the lines of PACS, he added.

Lauding his father’s role late Tapeshwar Singh in strengthening cooperative movement Mr Ranjit said that he toured on bicycles for 30 years and erected institutions. Some people want to destroy them by indulging into wrong practices. He was replying to a question from media man where supersession of Biscomaun by Bhagwat Jha Azad in the past was cited. Tapeshwar Singh was Chairman of Biscomaun and was opposed to government move. The then Chief Minister Azad called him mafia.

Who is mafia-the one who builds cooperative institutions,reaches up to ICA and have no corruption case in government record or the one who have host of vigilance cases pending against them, Ranjit Singh asked.

Vishal Singh who is on the board of Governing Council of NCUI  and son of late Ajit Singh demanded CBI investigation in the functioning of various cooperative federations in the state.

Vinay Sahi, Panchanan Sharma, Ex-Chairman of Bihar State Cooperative Federation and others stood in support of Government move to supersede various cooperative federations of state.

The cooperative politics of state is turning murkier every day. RJD supported leaders are pitted against JDU. Sunil Singh, the former Chairman of Biscomaun and close to RJD camp claims to enjoy massive support in the state. JDU camp pooh-poohs his statement and dares him to fight in fresh election.

Such political colouring of cooperative democracy does not bode well for the movement.

“We would get favourable judgment from the High Court and would be back in a month’s time”, said Shri Sunil Singh, Chairman of Biscomaun while talking to Indiancooperative.com soon after the Bihar government superseded the cooperative boards.

It is misinterpretation of court ruling and miscarriage of justice. We will file contempt case in the court of Chief Justice. High Court has merely quashed Section 14 A (I) clause. We are covered by Section 14 A (4) clause of constitutional amendment of 2008, said Mr Singh.
Readers may recall that state government superseded the board of several cooperative federations including Biscomaun and Bihar State Housing Federation on Monday. It also superseded the board of 14 district cooperative banks and board of about 300 Vyapar mandals across the state.
Government has earlier also tried to stall the completion of election process in Biscomaun. Our collegiums of 188 strong delegates were elected and the process of election of Chairman was about to be completed in 2008 when government came out with the constitutional amendment Act 2008 modifying 1935 state cooperative act to stop us from being elected, said the outgoing Chairman Mr Singh.
The amendment of 2008, among other things, introduces section 14 A which empowers state to set up Authority to conduct cooperative elections. Government soon launched a historic election of PACs across the state electing cooperative leaders from grass root level.
State apex cooperatives such as Biscomaun and others fought against the government order and was able to defend itself despite many governmental attempts to supersede the board till last Monday.
State Cooperative Minister Ramadhar  Singh has taken revenge against me. He was sent to jail and had to quit his ministerial position due to a court case of Aurangabad. But I will not sit idle and would rebound as the Chairman sooner than later, Mr Singh said.
Biscomaun outgoing Chairman claimed to Indiancooperative.com that he enjoys mass support from cooperative leaders of the state while his detractors pooh-poohs his claim.
Primary Agricultural Societies are the real cooperatives in which leaders have been elected from grass root level. These Chairmen of Biscomaun and District cooperative boards have no legal standing, says Ranjit Singh, son of late Tapeshwar Singh who was held as doyen of Indian cooperative movement. Ranjit himself is Chairman of a PAC from Buxer.

Cooperative fight like in other states, unfortunately has taken over the colours of political fight in Bihar. The war has got christened as JDU verses RJD, though people point at growing closeness of Sunil Singh with the Chief Minister.

The former cooperative minister of Bihar, Ramadhar Singh, who was jailed earlier has been denied bail.

He was declared absconder in 1995 case leading to his resignation from cabinet.

Later he surrendered in Aurangabad court which sent him to jail. Complaining of deteriorating health he sought permission to be admitted to hospital. But the court asked the medical superintendent to report on his health condition.

His bail was rejected by the court on the ground that he has been absconding for many years. His opponents, citing previous cases, argued that an absconder is not given bail.

The fact that court summons were hanging on him was well known to the former minister, argued the lawyer. In his election petition he has very well mentioned pending cases against him to the election commission.

The court has fixed 9th June 2011 for next hearing of the case.

The cooperative war in Bihar has taken ugly turn with BJP and RJD pitted against each other. The deputy chief minister has publicly called Ramadhar Singh’s arrest and prosecution, a handy work of RJD. Mr Modi promised to reinstate the jailed minister after the charges are disproved against him. RJD camp meanwhile is happy with the rejection of bail petition. Talking to indiancooperative.com, BISCOMAUN chairman Sumil Singh told that it won’t be easy for Ramadhar Singh to get bail.

Chief Minister, meanwhile has been reduced to the status of mear on looker.

Opposition tirade against the Cooperative Minister Ramadhar Singh in Bihar had finally its impact with the Minister tendering his resignation to the Chief Minister.

Readers may be aware that he was declared an absconder in an incident of inciting riots in 1992 and recently he was seen sharing dais with the Chief Minister. Television channels made such a hue and cry of the matter that an embarrassed  Chief Minister was forced to resort to damage control.

There is obvious glee in RJD camp. Talking to Indiancooperative.com Sunil Singh, Chairman of Biscomaun said that when the minister himself is guilty, how can he find fault with us.

He had threatened to remove me in one month from Biscomaun but see he himself had to go, said a relieved Sunil Singh. I had told him that if he spells Biscomaun correctly I would resign. But he initiated vigilance inquiry to harass us, he added.

I took Biscomaun to Rs 18crore per anum earning from a mere 80 lakh. High Court has ruled in our favour earlier. Yet the Minister Ramadhar Singh wanted to corner us, said Sunil Singh.

Indiancooperative.com had reported earlier that a fight between ruling party and RJD was going on to control the levers of cooperative power in the state. In the first round, it appears the ruling class has lost. But the war has begun and much fireworks are expected to be visible in future.

The cooperative fight in Bihar has taken ugly turn with JDU combine and RJD pitted against each other on the issue of Cooperative Minister Ramadhar Singh’s sacking.

RJD’s demand for removal of the Minister is getting louder with Leader of the opposition in Bihar Abdul Bari Siddique asking  Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to sack him.

Readers may be aware that Cooperative minister Ramadhar Singh is said to be an absconder for the last 16 years. A case had been registered against Singh for rendering a communal speech in Aurangabad district in 1992.

Singh was declared an absconder by a court in May 1995 after he repeatedly failed to appear before it in connection with a case registered against him by Aurangabad district administration on December 17, 1992 for giving a communal and inflammatory speech against the minority community.

Minister on his part says that he  is not a criminal as neither a case of dacoity nor murder has been registered against me.

The demand for sacking the Minister cannot be seen in isolation of what the Minister has done to reduce the influence of RJD which was practically controlling cooperatives in Bihar. aAmong other things,  Minister Ramadhar Singh is locked in a fight to free BISOMAUN board of RJD’s influence.

Indiancooperative.com has reported earlier that Sunil Singh, the incumbent Chairman of Biscomaun has dared the Minister to spell Biscomaun properly. He promised to resign if the Minister does it correctly.

The Minister on his part ensured that red bacon fitted in the car of Biscomaun Chairman is removed. Biscomaun Chairman Sunil Singh’s attempt to convert the organization into multi-state cooperative society also failed earlier.

The fight between the two political outfits to control cooperative levers of power in the state is sure to go personal in coming days.