Handloom & handicrafts society election shelved
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 17 2024:
The Manipur Apex Handloom Weavers and Handicrafts Artisan Society Limited (AWAS) has failed to conduct its proposed election for the board of directors Scheduled on Sunday as the returning officer did not turned up at the venue.
The election was scheduled for conduct after the general body meeting of the Society held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal on Sunday.
Cancelation of the election triggered chaos at the office of the society as candidates and delegates from different districts converged there and raised strong resentment.
Interacting with the media, one of the candidates namely Sougrakpam Bhubon said that the Society is an apex body of different societies of weavers and artisans.
All the candidates and delegates are unhappy over the way the general body meeting and the election was cancelled, he said while blaming the returning officer appointed by the registrar of cooperative societies for the mess.
He said that the term of the previous board of directors expired on January 2, 2023.After a gap of more than one year, the registrar issued a directive to conduct the election and appointed Th Tarunkumar as the returning officer.
Approval of the deputy commissioner has also been sought.
On Sunday, delegates of 666 societies showed up at the venue with voting slips only to find that the election has been cancelled without giving any reason, which infuriated the delegates, he informed.
Amid the chaos, the returning officer issued a statement informing that the election was cancelled as it would require approval from the chief electoral officer due to the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections.
The situation would not have risen only if the returning officer issued prior intimation, he said while adding that a case will be filed against the RO.
Meanwhile, former president of AWAS, Ronika Angom said that attempts are being made to tarnish image of the former board of directors with corruption allegation.
A vigilance case was initiated based on complaints raised by some persons but the vigilance director issued clean chit.