The eagerly anticipated election for the positions of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has faced yet another setback as the proposal to conduct these crucial elections stands cancelled. The positions, vacant for the past two years, continue to remain unoccupied, further complicating the operational dynamics of the committee.

The Board of Directors had initially approved the proposal to organize the elections to fill the vacant Chairman and Deputy Chairman roles. However, the plans hit a roadblock as seven to eight members of the APMC faced disqualification for various reasons, as enforced by the Director of Marketing.

This disqualification wave led to the resignations of Chairman Ashok Dak and Deputy Chairman Dhananjay Wadkar back in December 2022. Since then, Ashok Dak has been shouldering the responsibilities as the acting Chairman. The market committee faced significant disruptions due to the disqualified directors, resulting in the absence of essential board meetings for an entire year.

Efforts to invoke administrative rule through government intervention were initiated during this period of turbulence. Nevertheless, some disqualified directors found respite in the courts, leading to the completion of the board of directors. The first board meeting in this reinstated capacity took place in August 2023. However, in a subsequent court petition, a directive was issued for the election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman within the stipulated time frame.

Complicating matters further, the terms of several members serving on the board have expired, rendering the selection of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman from among the existing committee members inappropriate. Consequently, the government has retracted the proposal for the election of these crucial positions, prolonging the committee's operation without a designated chairman for an extended period.

The APMC now faces the challenge of sustaining its functions without elected leadership, leaving its operational future uncertain for the coming months. The prolonged absence of a Chairman and Deputy Chairman continues to cast a shadow over the effective governance and decision-making processes within this vital market committee.