Udupi: Members of the Udupi district Raitha Sangha disrupted the annual general meeting (AGM) of the DK district cooperative (Brahmavara) sugar factory, which took place at a private hotel in Brahmavara. Their objection stemmed from not receiving formal invitations to the AGM. The Sangha’s representatives alleged that the president of the factory, Bykady Suprasad Shetty, along with the managing director (deputy registrar, cooperative societies, Udupi), H N Ramesh, and ten members of the factory’s management committee, had overseen the sale of scrap items valued at over Rs 14 crore that were stored within the factory premises.
This sale was executed through the contracting company, New Royal Traders of Chennai. Sangha members argued that there were notable irregularities in the scrap sale, as the proper procedures for e-procurement were not adhered to, and crucial documentation, including e-way bills, way-bridge receipts, and gate passes from the factory, were not maintained.
Bykady Suprasad Shetty attempted to clarify to the protesting Sangha representatives that AGM invitations had been sent to members through postal mail, and he refuted any irregularities in the scrap sale. However, the Sangha’s objections persisted, leading to the disruption of the AGM. Subsequently, H N Ramesh, the MD of the factory, informed reporters that the AGM would be rescheduled and held before September 25. Bykady Suprasad Shetty contended that the allegations of irregularities and the protests during the factory’s AGM were politically motivated and stressed that all proper procedures had been followed.
In a previous instance, K Prathapchandra Shetty, the former Chairman of the Legislative Council and president of the Udupi district Raitha Sangha, addressed a consultative meeting in Brahmavara. He pointed out that the scrap items, which included copper, brass, aluminium, and iron with varying values, had not been appropriately categorized. He alleged that all scrap items had been sold arbitrarily by the president and MD of the factory, implying potential corruption. He called for a thorough government investigation into the matter and noted that the scrap items had been sold at a significantly lower cost, less than Rs 30 per kg, compared to the amounts specified in the tender agreement