Ishwer C Naik is a born cooperator who is always eager to solve the cooperative related problems of people. In the comment box of the news story “Parliament passes historic bill” several comments were made by readers wanting to know more and more about the important amendment. Mr Naik emerged a natural leader answering queries and making people understand the importance of the bill.
Hailing from a tiny village named Ancheli, in South Gujarat with a population of 1000 and a flag station on the Western Railway, Mr Naik did his schooling in the 50s. Every day he would cover 5 Kms on foot from his tiny village to the Private Trust School in a nearby small town. Now a retired Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary, he has served multinational Corporations and Indian family owned corporate groups for decades.
His keen interest in the ways of management of Co-operatives and Government initiatives in developing the cooperative Sector is reflected in his comments on various issues.
It was a matter of great satisfaction for the editorial team of Indian Cooperative to watch a process in which it had little to do except offering a platform for cooperators to interact and voice their opinions.
Indian Cooperative was launched precisely with this aim in mind—starting debates and discussions on the cooperative movement and it has seen its baby grow with the help of the likes of Naiks.
There were several queries and Mr Naik’s answers are as follows:
The issue of Calcutta Wholesale Consumer’s Cooperative Society came up. Several members of the staff wrote letters to Indian Cooperative.com seeking help. One of the letters is:
I would like to know the future of the staff recommended by the Cooperative Service Commission to the Calcutta Wholesale Consumer’s Cooperative Society Ltd where the State government’s share is above 80%.The society is sick. We get 4000/- p.m and we feel insecure. Yet the cooperative service commission is treated on a par with the public service commission. For our jobs we had to pass a tough competitive examination. But we are denied adequate salary and recognition. Our future is at stake. The Cooperative service commission is not cooperating with us. West Bengal cooperative minister should take some urgent action in the matter. Otherwise, we have no option but to commit suicide—Amit
Anubrata Chowdhury Submitted on 2012/02/17 at 16:23
We have 4900 members in our primary co-operative society. Our last election date was 16.06.2009. Now we are going to conduct election of delegates in this year, our question is 1) Whether we should provide 100 members in one constituency? 2) Is it required to conduct election in three years or five years?
Ishwer Naik, Submitted on 2012/02/17 at 16:52
The West Bengal Cooperatives Society Act 2006 was made effective in 2010. As per this Act [Section 29 (5)(a)] Election of the Board is to be held once in 5 years. Bye Law concerning tenure of the Board gets superseded. So the Board member to be elected after the end of tenure of the present board on 16.6.2012, a new board will have tenure of 5 years. The other question can be answered only seeing the bye laws as the Act is open on that number.
Ishwer Naik, Submitted on 2012/02/16 at 14:15
If anyone wants to remain abreast of government news there is a web site which provides a free service:
http://www.igovernment.in/newsletter-registration-thanks
Radhakrishnan, Submitted on 2012/02/15 at 23:35
It is understood that President has assented to the bill on 12-01-2012.Whether government notification is available? Moreover, the number of the bill is shown as 97 instead of 111 in the final bill approved by Parliament. Any reason?
Ishwer Naik, Submitted on 2012/02/15 at 10:51
It was Agri Ministry which had moved 111th Constitutional Amendment to grant autonomy to Co-Operatives. Politics is essentially a charitable act where it is said Left Hand doing Charity Right hand should not know. Let’s hope in course of time both hands will get in to doing charity. Agri Ministry should start granting autonomy to Co-Ops under its own command.
Banmali Soren, Submitted on 2012/02/14 at 14:10
We sent a letter to the government of West Bengal stating our distress condition and government share participation .We have received a letter from the governor of West Bengal who already sent a letter to Asst secretary of cooperation in Writers’ Building at Kolkata . After that no response from the above stated officer. Six months is already over.
Ishwer Naik, Submitted on 2012/02/14 at 14:28
I think you should approach Assistant Secretary under RTI asking for information as to how the Governor’s letter has been disposed of i.e. what action has been taken in the matter? It is possible that after 30 days you may have to go in appeal also. Can you not give Governor’s letter to Media?
Ishwer Naik again on W Bengal imbroglio, Submitted on 2012/02/13 at 15:54
Staff Union can meet the governor of the State with their grievances. It is a States’ undertaking and he has a moral duty to listen to State employees’ do not know if WB has a Lokyukta. If there is one he can also be approached. The State Public Service Commission may also have jurisdiction to examine any claim of a person who thinks himself to be an employee of the State.
Ishwer Naik, Submitted on 2012/02/12 at 13:25
I will be too anxious to know the outcome of this legal process, which is a bit expensive. But all avenues should in any case be explored. The Courts have startled people on many issues giving pleasant surprises, not limiting the justice with in tight framework of laws which are also not free from flaws. It’s a very heartening trend for “Aãm Aãdmi” that judgments are made with humane considerations. For, humanity is first and laws are invention of humanity in any case. Thanks for noting my interest in this case.
Ishwer Naik , Submitted on 2012/02/11 at 15:00
On news story “Coop movement can solve rural problems: Kalam”. It is not possible to doubt Dr Kalam’s vision nor is it easy to improve on what his thoughts are. He is a visionary who can see life in India far beyond the horizon of most Indians.
Just as there are marketing cooperatives for agricultural produce doing fairly well there should be cultivator’s co-operatives for small farm land holdings. A farmer working as his boss on a small piece of an uneconomic holding is artificially happy and tolerates poverty in the absence of guidance.
The Cultivator’s Cooperatives after 111th Constitutional Amendment be innovated in such a manner that the farmer’s psychology can be well handled. This needs a massive educative process and not just enacting a law. Like how the growth of Indian democracy is thwarted by illiteracy, in Co-operatives adequate focus on co-operative literacy may not be that big a challenge.
There were many such issues that keep coming which Mr Naik answers with great patience. He does things single handed and has emerged as one man institution ready to take on the huge govt-aided organizations like NCUI. Indian Cooperative salutes such a selfless soldier of the cooperative movement.