Horticultural society lying in dormant state in Mandya

The District Horticulture Society, that was founded in the year 1986, is facing threat of losing its recognition due to the negligence of the officials of the Horticulture department and the office-bearers.

The society has failed in its endeavours due to lack of enthusiasm among its members and has limited itself in organising the annual flower show. According to sources, the society has not submitted its annual report post 2001. In the year 2012, the Cooperation department had issued a show cause notice, asking why its recognition should not be cancelled.

Replying to the notice, the Horticulture department officials had sought some time to submit all necessary reports. But the officials have not bothered to submit the reports in the last four years.

Now, the authorities of the Cooperative department is seriously considering to cancel its recognition as the society had failed to comply with the norms. So, all the directors of the society have tendered their resignation.

Non-compliance

The society was founded with 356 members, but later, it did not make any attempts to increase membership. At present, there is no proper information on the current strength of the society.

The deputy commissioner is ex-officio chairman of the society with senior officials of the Horticulture department as office-bearers, since its inception. Till now, it had 13 directors. It is supposed to conduct its annual general body meeting, but, no meeting has been conducted in the recent past. The annual accounts and other details too have not been submitted to the Cooperative department.

The society has also failed to chalk out programmes for the benefit of farmers. Besides conducting the annual show, no financial activities have been taken up, so far. The entrance fee and stall rent of the flower show has been totally spent. The accounts of the flower show has been audited, but the report on the same has not submitted to the department, said Deputy Director for Horticulture K Rudresh.

Discussions are on to revive the society. And, if the attempts fail, plans are on to form a new society, he added.