SGCCI bats for Jt. Charity commissioner’s post in Surat

Surat : The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has made a written representation to the Law Minister of Gujarat, Rishikesh Patel urging him to appoint a Joint Charity Commissioner on a permanent basis in the Joint Charity Commissioner Office, Surat.

The SGCCI sent a representation following a report published in the The Blunt Times highlighting the vacant post of the Joint Charity commissioner at Surat for the last one-and-a-half-years. 

Vijay Mewawala, President of SGCCI said that the then Joint Charity Commissioner of Surat RT Pandya retired on June 9, 2023 and that  the Joint Charity Commissioner at Ahmedabad RV Vyas was appointed as the in-charge Joint Charity Commissioner. He currently has the charge of Joint Charity Commissioner Offices of Surat, Ahmedabad, Mehsana and despite his best efforts, he is not able to devote proper time to the Joint Charity Commissioner Office of Surat.

The administrative responsibility of about 30,000 trusts in all the districts of South Gujarat like Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, Dang comes under the control of the Joint Charity Commissioner, but due to lack of permanent appointment, this has been for the last quarter of a year. Important works of the trust offices are pending and no decision has been taken for the last one-and-a-half-years. 

In the submission made to the Law Minister, it has been stated that approximately 200 cases are on the order after the hearing was completed a year and a half ago, but in the month of June RT Pandya retired, no orders were made regarding these works. A request has been made to the Law Minister Rishikesh Patel  to immediately appoint a permanent Joint Charity Commissioner in the Joint Charity Commissioner’s Office, Surat before the situation becomes serious due to lack of orders.

Lawyers specialising in charity cases have expressed their growing frustration with the situation. Harshad Pandya, one of the most senior lawyers dealing with charity-related matters, has written to the Chief Minister and the state law department, urging the immediate appointment of a permanent Joint Charity Commissioner for Surat. His call to action is echoed by several other legal professionals who practise in South Gujarat’s charity offices. They argue that without a dedicated officer, the proper functioning of the public trusts cannot be restored, leaving important decisions and administrative tasks suspended indefinitely.