Young and dynamic co-operator from Maharashtra, Gautam Thakur proved his popularity once again when the EKTA Panel led by him, won the Saraswat Co-operative Bank elections with a landslide victory. In the elections held on Sunday, the EKTA Panel secured more than 92 percent of the votes for electing the Board of Directors for a period of 2021-2026.
The elections of the largest urban cooperative bank in the country were held at 154 polling centers spread across Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Gujrat, M.P, and Delhi. The sole opponent in the fray lost his election deposit, said sources. Mumbai District Deputy Registrar Jayant D. Patil was appointed as the Returning Officer to conduct the Election of the Board of Directors of the bank.
Always on the growth path ever since Gautam Thakur took the reins of the bank, the UCB created history this year by crossing a total business turnover of Rs 67,042 crore and earning a gross profit of Rs 728.05 crore in the 2020-21 financial Year. These figures are the highest ever in the history of the bank.
Soon after the results, a humbled Thakur said “Strong performance, consistent growth even in adverse times like the pandemic and above all, shareholders’ trust is what led to this victory. Thank you, shareholders!”
The mammoth election exercise of the Saraswat Co-op Bank started early in September. Scrutiny of nominations were done on 8th September 2021 and the list was published immediately after scrutiny. Candidates were given the option to withdraw their names from 9th September to 15th September 2021 and the final list of contesting candidates was made public on 15th September 2021.
The polling was held on 24th September and the counting of votes was completed yesterday on Sunday when it became obvious that Gautam Thakur’s magic continues to hold sway over the voters.
It bears recall that the bank’s board consists of 16 seats out of which 10 seats are reserved for the candidates from amongst the Members of the Society residing in and/or carrying on business and/or engaged in gainful occupations within limits of Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority.
Four seats are reserved for the candidates from amongst the Members of the Society residing in areas outside the limit of Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority but within the State of Maharashtra and two seats are reserved for the candidates from amongst the Members of the Society residing in State or States other than the State of Maharashtra or Union Territories in the Union of India where the bank has or may have its Branches.