The apex body of businessmen and traders of Jharkhand contrary to what has been claimed so far does not represent entire State. Thanks to the rules governing
election of office bearers anyone who is not a resident of the capital could only dream of becoming president of Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FJCCI).
With just over a month left in the election for the next executive body, the affiliated bodies of FJCCI have started questioning the election process which is skewed in favour of businessmen of Ranchi and offers a customary representation to about 77 trade bodies active in other parts of Jharkhand.
The bitter reality of the election is highlighted by the fact that the federation has seen only city based presidents since 1960. History of the federation is the best refuge for its office bearers to justify the prevailing state of affairs.
Incidentally, FJCCI has called Original General Meeting (OGM) on August 2 to discuss changes in its constitution which will be ratified in the Annual General Meeting likely to be called on
September 6.
“It is true that unless (FJCCI’s) constitution does not allow no one from affiliated body can become president. But we cannot do away with the fact that previously it was a Ranchi based organization known as Chotanagpur Chamber of Commerce & Industries,” said FJCCI president Bikash Kumar Singh.
The amalgamation of different trade bodies will vote for new members of the executive committee on September 7 and results will be declared on September 8.
The present membership of FJCCI is about 2374 which includes 77 trade & industries associations affiliated with the Chamber. The memberships of these associations are about five thousand, claims the apex body of businessmen. The services of the Chamber have been recognized by the Central & State Govt. and a representation to the Chamber has been granted on the advisory committees constituted by Railway, BSNl and different State and Central Committees.
“So many representations have been given to FJCCI requesting them to provide opportunities to let others lead the association also but they want to establish their monopoly by not allowing others to become president of the federation,” said former president of Dhanbad Zila Chamber of Commerce & Industries, SK Thakkar.
There is more than what meets the eye about the claim of providing equal representation to affiliated bodies of FJCCI. Notwithstanding the number of members in each affiliated trade body each can cast only two votes in the election of the executive committee which elects president of the federation. Ranchi based businessmen hold the sway in the election with more than 2000 votes compared to the toothless affiliates of elsewhere.
“There is a provision of only two votes for an association like ours which has about 1000 members whereas each member of Ranchi has been given the right to cast one vote. This system of election is not justified and it should be changed,” said Patron of Bokaro Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Sanjay Baid.
The highest body which has been entrusted the responsibility to protect interests of businessmen of entire Jharkhand is basking in minor changes introduced to widen representation of its constituent units and consider it to too much for too insignificant members bodies. “Who says we have not given them representationIJ We select five regional vice-presidents for five zones (which ensures representation of all affiliated bodies of FJCCI),” added the FJCCI
president.
But members at Ranchi develop cold feet at the mere thought relinquishing power for the smaller constituent units which are used to portray representation of entire State. Those who have been at the helm at FJCCI justify the rational of clinging on to the decades old provisions because of the proximity of the place to the power centre.
“A president or member of the executive body has to work with State government so they have to live in Ranchi. Members are mostly businessmen so it is not practical for those who are not from Ranchi to shut their business and live in the capital,” said former president of FJCCI, Sajjan Saraf.
However, an office bearer of a district chamber countered him saying, the FJCCI officials are using their position to further their own interests instead of fighting for the business communities. One hopes the FJJCI has ears to the ground!