Udupi: The Udupi district branch of the Indian Red Cross Society has been placed under an administrator following the expiry of the statutory tenure of its president.
Udupi Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T K appointed Kundapur Sub-Divisional Assistant Commissioner (AC) Rashmi S R as the administrator. She will oversee the organisation until its annual general meeting (AGM) is conducted and a new president is elected.
The Deputy Commissioner issued the appointment order on August 18, with the objective of ensuring the smooth continuation of the organisation’s activities during the transition.
President’s tenure had expired
The incumbent district Red Cross president had been serving in the position since October 5, 2019.
The leadership had earlier faced internal differences. At a meeting held on November 11, 2020, a no-confidence motion was moved against the president, following which another member assumed charge as district president.
However, the incumbent president challenged the development before the High Court by filing a writ petition.
Following the court’s order, the president was reinstated to the post. The statutory tenure of the president subsequently ended on October 5, 2022.
Despite the expiry of the tenure, the leadership issue remained unresolved, eventually prompting the district administration to intervene.
AGM could not be conducted
The organisation had scheduled its AGM for May 13 as part of the process to elect a new president and address organisational matters.
Notices regarding the meeting were sent to members by post. However, the notices reportedly failed to reach four members.
After the affected members submitted complaints to the organisation’s office, the scheduled AGM could not be held.
The failure to conduct the AGM further delayed the process of electing a new president and resolving the leadership issue.
Members raise concerns over prolonged tenure
The continuation of one person as president for several years had also reportedly resulted in dissatisfaction among some members of the district Red Cross branch.
Some members approached the Deputy Commissioner and submitted complaints regarding the situation.
With the AGM unable to take place and the president’s statutory tenure having already expired, the district administration decided to appoint an administrator to manage the organisation temporarily.
Administrator to oversee functioning
Rashmi S R, Kundapur Sub-Divisional Assistant Commissioner, will now oversee the functioning of the Udupi district branch of the Indian Red Cross Society.
Her appointment is intended to ensure that the organisation’s activities and services continue without disruption while arrangements are made for the AGM and election of a new president.
The administrator will remain in charge until the AGM is held and the election process is completed.
The move is expected to provide an interim administrative arrangement and help resolve the long-standing leadership issue within the district branch.
The district administration’s intervention also aims to ensure that the Red Cross Society continues its humanitarian and public service activities while the organisation works towards establishing a new elected leadership.