KARACHI, April 15: A retired army official has been appointed to take charge of Fishermen Cooperative Society. An official order issued here said the step was taken to improve working in the FCS.

The retired army official who will take charge as general manager has been appointed on a contract basis for a year.

A senior director of the FCS said, there is no provision of a general manager in the society’s bylaws.

An office order issued by the FCS Administration Department, states retired Lieutenant Colonel Sarfraz Hussain has been appointed as General Manager of Fishermen Cooperative Society. The order issued by the manager administration said the appointment was made on the chief secretary’s directive as a sequel of a meeting held under the chairmanship of the prime minister on March 3.

The order says: “In the light of the minutes of the meeting held on 3-3-2007 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Pakistan and minutes of meeting dated 16-3-2007 held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary

Sindh directing measures to improve the management of FCS, the competent authority has appointed Lieutenant Colonel retired Sarfaraz Hussain as General Manager FCS in lump sum of Rs75,000 per month (inclusive all) on contract basis for a period of one year wef from 10-4-2007.”

Haji Shafi Mohammad Jamote, a senior director of FCS said the appointment was illegal and in total violation of the society’s bylaws. He argued that there was no need for the appointment as the society was facing a financial crisis and could not afford it.

He pointed out that there was a procedure for such appointments. He said a meeting of the board of directors should have been called which alone was authorised to take such a decision and that too after amending the bylaws. It would then advertise the post.

In the society’s bylaws, the manager is responsible for the general administration and management of FCS affairs. According to the relevant clauses, the manager has the powers to control salaried staff of FCS and assign work as approved by the chairman.

The bylaws also say that the management of the business and affairs of the FCS (subject to the general control of general body) shall be entrusted to a Board of Directors which shall consist of not more than 15 members. Of these eight will be from government and seven elected by the members of Fishermen Cooperative Society.

The FCS was established in 1945 to improve the fishermen’s condition who are its members by encouraging thrift, self- help and cooperation and raising funds through means specified in the bylaws.