Raut Accuses Shah Of Undermining Maharashtra’s Cooperative Sector
Raut questioned the inauguration of the NUCFDC office in Mumbai on August 8: Reports
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of trying to dismantle Maharashtra’s cooperative movement and its network of cooperative banks. The National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC) took over the Apex Urban Cooperative Bank premises in Mumbai to benefit a Gujarat bank, bypassing local stakeholders, he alleged.
In a letter written to Shah, who is also a Union Cooperation Minister, Raut claimed that the property of the Apex Urban Cooperative Bank of Maharashtra and Goa was handed over to the NUCFDC without the consent or consultation of the bank’s members.
Raut questioned the inauguration of the NUCFDC office in Mumbai on August 8, claiming that the premises had long been occupied by the Apex Urban Cooperative Bank, which was established with contributions from cooperative institutions and urban cooperative banks in Maharashtra.
“This bank was established by various types of cooperative societies in Maharashtra – particularly urban cooperative banks – pooling share capital from their own funds. These urban cooperative banks and cooperative societies are members of this apex bank and hold full authority over it; yet, you have effectively nullified that authority,” he said.
The Sena UBT leader said that the Apex Bank has been under liquidation for years and that its members are awaiting the distribution of its remaining assets.
Raut also referred to pending recovery claims involving Madhavpura Mercantile Cooperative Bank. “Information from the website indicates that the Apex Bank is owed a substantial sum by the Madhavpura bank in Ahmedabad and a recovery suit regarding this is currently pending before the Supreme Court. While these cooperative societies and urban cooperative banks were awaiting the conclusion of the liquidation process to receive their share of the remaining assets, you have – by inflicting this injustice upon them – in effect aided the Madhavpura bank,” he said in the letter.
Calling the reported transfer of the premises an “injustice” to Maharashtra’s cooperative sector, Raut sought clarity on who authorised the transfer and why the bank’s members were allegedly not consulted.
“This is an injustice to Maharashtra. There is absolutely no information regarding the transfer on the websites of the Ministry of Cooperation or the Central Registrar. It appears that the premises were taken over through irregular means for someone’s benefit. Inquiries with some Apex Bank members reveal that none of them were informed or consulted; the Apex Bank’s asset seems to have been handed over to NUCFDC without their knowledge or consent,” Raut alleged.
However, the BJP chief spokesperson Navnath Ban hit back at Raut saying while Amit Shah is weaving a network of cooperation across the country; Thackeray-Raut have weaved a web of corruption in Maharashtra. “Raut should give account of his ‘percentage management’ before talking about cooperation,” he said.
