Avinash Bassan
system Observer
Akhnoor, Aug 03:
The Akhnoor Cooperative Marketing Society Ltd., registered under JRCS/560/R on 1st Magh 1999 (Vikrami Samvat) with the Joint Registrar Cooperative Societies, Jammu, was founded to uplift farmers and agriculturists across the Akhnoor region. As per the latest available audit conducted for the financial year 2014-15 under Section 64 of the J&K Cooperative Societies Act No. X of 1989, the society’s objectives include marketing of agricultural produce, providing loans, arranging fertilizers and seeds, constructing storage godowns, and acting as a government agent.
Covering villages like Chowki Choura, Sungal Gurha, Devipur, Dadora, Khadhandra, Muthi Mera, Ambaran, Barui, and others, the society supervises around 10 primary cooperative societies and has an estimated 100 members including 5 directors and a chairman.
However, serious allegations have now emerged around the misuse of society-owned assets, particularly 45 shops and several open spaces located in high-value zones near Old and New SDH Akhnoor. These were allegedly leased out at nominal rates to influential individuals without any public bidding or transparency. Local villagers, once shareholders, were reportedly removed arbitrarily by the registrar, raising further concerns.
The founding chairman, Babu Isher Dass, is said to have donated land for the society’s noble purposes—now allegedly betrayed by a system of favouritism, subletting, and rent manipulation. Claims suggest that only 20% of the actual income from these shops was deposited in the society’s treasury, while large sums were diverted by a select few for personal gain.
Many shop allottees—allegedly prominent public figures of Akhnoor—are said to have dues pending for years, yet continue to earn lakhs monthly from subletting these shops. No rent revisions have been implemented for long periods, further deepening suspicions.
This issue has become the talk of the town, with growing demands from the public for a transparent investigation under the Cooperative Societies Act, ensuring accountability of all past and present office-bearers. There’s a strong call to restore the core vision of the society, originally meant to serve farmers—not enrich a privileged few.
