Tirthahalli co-operative society president claims inquiry based on false complaints by loan defaulters

Basavani Vijay Dev, president of Sahyadri Multipurpose Arecanut Growers’ Marketing Cooperative Society, has alleged that the government of Karnataka ordered an inquiry into three Tirthahalli-based co-operative societies based on misleading and false information.

The Department of Co-operation recently ordered inquiries into three societies – Sharavathi Credit Co-operative Society, Samruddhi Horticulture Produce and Sale Co-operative Society, and Sahyadri Multi-Purpose Arecanut Growers’ Marketing Co-operative Society. The inquiries were ordered following directions from the Chief Minister’s office, based on complaints filed by a few shareholders.

On May 30, Mr. Vijay Dev told The Hindu that he recently met outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to discuss the issue. “The CM informed that he ordered the inquiry based on the recommendations of a retired judge. We told him that those who complained to the Department of Co-operation had furnished misleading and incorrect information,” he said.

He further alleged that those who filed complaints are not aggrieved members, but loan defaulters. “They have failed to repay loans taken from the societies, and are now resorting to false and baseless allegations. We neither accept blank cheques nor compel anyone to sign blank documents,” he said.

Mr. Vijay Dev maintained that his society has always upheld transparency in its administration, and regularly shares documents with shareholders. “Some members, who have defaulted on their loans, are making false allegations. The society has initiated recovery proceedings against them,” he added.