FAISALABAD, Nov 2: Most of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) members, especially small traders, are in a fix after a 400 per cent increase in the election fee by the ruling chamber group without the approval of the authorities and consent of chamber members, it’s learnt.

A source said the chamber management increased the election fee from Rs5,000 to 25,000 without consulting members or the authorities. He said the fee issue was under adjudication with the director general of the Trade Ordinance, but the chamber management announced an increase.

The source said the chamber would be overhauled this year after enforcement of the Trade Ordinance introduced by the former regime by repealing the old rules and regulations. Because of the new system, he said, the ruling chamber group was facing difficulties in keeping its hold on chamber affairs. He said the increase in the fee was a move to keep small traders from the election.

Chamber office-bearers did not mention the fee in the schedule issued recently, however, the practice was otherwise last time and Rs5,000 election fee was clearly printed on the calendar.

The source said that chamber members contacted the chamber secretary on the issue, but to no avail. He said it was for the first time in the chamber’s history that a member was expelled for raising voice against ruling group’s ‘wrongdoings’.

This correspondent visited the chamber website, but did not find details about the new fee structure.

FCCI opposition member Asghar Butt was allegedly expelled from the chamber after he protested against the increase in the election fee, which is not refundable. FCCI executive committee member Subah Sadiq resigned in protest against Butt’s expulsion.

FCCI member Mohammad Islam said neither chamber office-bearers were receiving election fee in cash nor in pay order because they did not know how to handle the issue.

The FCCI annual election for 12 members each of corporate class and associate class is scheduled for Nov 21 and Nov 22, respectively. As many as 997 voters of associate class and 466 members of corporate class will take part in the electoral process.

Besides, FCCI members will elect a president, two vice presidents and two female members in the election. Monday (today) is the last day for submission of nomination papers, but many people said chamber office-bearers were not accepting nomination papers allegedly to keep most of their rivals out of the process.

FCCI President Asim Khursheed was contacted for his comment, but his cell phone was switched off. —Mohammad Saleem