West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that a law that allows attachment and auction of farmland for failure to repay loans would soon be amended in the state.
She has severely criticized the former communist government for legislating the West Bengal Cooperative Societies Act, 2006,
that allowed this, and according to her it only showed the anti-farmer attitude of the communists.
However, Mamta Banerjee’s statement has drawn fierce criticism from the left circles. They have charged that Chief Minister’s stand would not only harm the cooperative movement in the state but would also expose poor farmers to the usurious traditional moneylenders.
Sources having knowledge of the cooperative scene in West Bengal also fear that Mamta’s populist may adversely affect the growth of the cooperative sector in the state.
Our Hon’ble Chief Minister was probably unmindful at the time of making such statement that immediately after becoming chief minister in year May, 2011 a bill was passed to amendment the cooperative laws which came into force on and from February 6, 2012. Most of the cooperative societies in West Bengal were dissolved by the said amendment since the 60 months tenure of democratically elected board of respective cooperative societies was reduced to 36 months. In all those cooperatives special officer was appointed to keep pervasive control over those societies frustrating the democratic process. Entire process was/ is unconstitutional, undemocratic and illegal. The amendment was challenged in Writ Petition before the Hon’ble High court. The Hon’ble High Court declared the said amendment unconstitutional. Immediately thereafter ordinance was promulgated by negating the said judicial declaration. subsequently Amendment Act was passed replacing the ordinance. The said Amendment Act was declared ultra vires. Appeal is pending before the Hon’ble High Court calcutta.
I must request state government and / or its instrumentalists to go through the provisions of unamended West Bengal Cooperative Societies Act 2006 or at least section 2 of the said Act of 2006.
only assurance pretending well wisher of farmer will not do, if she wants I request her to take immediate steps for survival of large number of farmers of Birbhum District. large number of farmers have been starving since long as their primary cooperative societies are not being able to make any transaction due to cancellation of banking license of Birbhum District Central Cooperative Bank. They sought for liquidation of their assets. case has been filed with such prayers. instead of taking steps in the matter State has instructed to oppose the prayers which may lead serious consequences since the farmers are not in a position to survive.