Pawar asks Nafed to reconsider sacking of MD

Terming Nafed’s decision to sack its Managing Director, C V Anand Bose, as “incorrect”, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today asked the co-operative firm to reconsider the same.

Last week, the Nafed Board had decided to repatriate Bose on charges of alleged misuse of funds and misconduct. It had requested the ministry to send a fresh panel of probables.

“If a senior officer has been deputed by the government as the managing director, I do not think it is proper for the (Nafed’s) Board to remove him,” Pawar said, when asked about his reaction on the entire development.

“It seems an unfortunate incident has happened and I am looking into the matter,” he added. “The official should maintain good relationship with the elected representatives. They should also maintain the dignity and respect of the appointed officer”.

When asked whether the ministry would direct Nafed to reinstate Bose, Pawar said the Board should reconsider its decision.

Yesterday, the Minister of State for Food and Agriculture K V Thomas gave a clean chit to Bose.

“We have verified and enquired the complaint against Anand Bose. We have found nothing against him ,” Thomas had said.

Bose had refuted all allegations made by the Nafed Board, saying he was paying the price for his crusade against corrupt officials in the organisation.

Nafed’s Additional Managing Director, P K Sharma, who was given the charge for the time being cannot continue as the additional MD, as he has some of his relatives involved in the co-operative business, Thomas had said.

Nafed procures agriculture produce on behalf of the government. It also intervenes in the market to control prices, if necessary.