BHOPAL : State cooperatives department on Thursday suspended additional director (judiciary) Shailendra Singh for issuing verdict in cooperatives elections going beyond his powers, and interfering in the ongoing election process only after his department officials raised voice against him, even threatening to go on indefinite strike and hamper election process.
The department prima facie found Singh decided in arbitrary manner and gave verdicts in Dewas and Bhopal’s District Central Cooperatives Banks, recently using the 80-K of the Cooperatives Act in which his senior officer, registrar of cooperative does not have power.
Principal secretary, cooperatives, Ajit Kesri issued order to suspend him with immediate effect after the issue was brought to his notice.
A delegation of cooperatives department officials met Kesri to inform his about the unlawful decisions being given by additional director (judiciary) Singh.
“The Central government, through new act, had segregated the election authority and cooperatives department for holding fair elections. Registration and election officers are under jurisdiction of election authority and not under the departments at the time of election. Despite that, Singh abused his power to accept election related issue and gave verdict,” Kesri said.
Although, several of Singh’s decisions were stayed by tribunal – higher authority in cooperatives, the officials said, his act made laughing stock of the department.
In a two page memorandum, the department officials said Singh made personal comments against his juniors in the decision.
They demanded investigation in Sidhi, Shahdol, Raisen, Khandwa and Indore’s integrated cooperatives development projects, where Singh was posted earlier and book him for financial irregularities.
They said, the additional director forged CR to get promotion.
Registrar, Cooperatives society, had asked the additional director Singh not to hear cases directly exceeding his jurisdiction in July. He however defied the orders of his boss. Singh has been attached to the headquarters.
