Hyderabad: More than a year after Andhra Pradesh was split to form Telangana state, the Telugu-speaking states’ common industry body Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ftapcci and earlier Fapcci) appears to have been vertically split into two groups over the non-promotion of industry in the newly-created state.
“Even 13 months after the formation of Telangana, Ftapcci is not honouring its mandate of promoting both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Except for the inclusion of Telangana in its name, the organisation has done nothing to promote TS,” said Dr Ashok Kumar Kedia, chairman, IT and youth affairs committee, Ftapcci on Friday.
He further adds, “Even the organisation’s domain name continues to be Fapcci; the website has a section for setting up of business in AP, but not for Telangana. Despite being highlighted, nothing has been done to rectify this anomaly.”
Ftapcci’s newly-elected president V. Anil Reddy, however, rejected these allegations and said that the organisation has participated and support all programmes of the TS government. Mr Reddy, who hails from TS, however, added that, “As an independent body, we are free to take a decision as to what needs to be promoted.”
If one probes further, the rift appears deeper in over 90-year-old Hyderabad-based industrial body, with a group of entrepreneurs accusing top office bearers of gross mismanagement and rigging of elections. The dispute apparently is all set to reach the Company Law Board for adjudication.
“Two persons in the current office bearers tried to rig elections by collecting nomination as well as withdrawal papers from people willing to contest for directorship. The bylaws doesn’t have the provision of withdrawals where as it is intended to the satisfaction of the group,” a key person of the group said on condition of anonymity. He also accused Ftapcci office-bearers of trying to elect new directors more than the legally permissible limit at its AGM on June 15.
“According to the company law as existed on June 15, no company is allowed to have more than 15 directors. However, top office-bearers have tried to push the election of another 15 people as directors in contravention of the company law as on that date,” he said.
