Ladakh flags irregularities in Women Coop Society; Then DC’s dual role under scanner

Administration seeks MHA action over registration, funding and GI application; official records questioned

Leh, Aug 3: The Ladakh Administration has sought the intervention of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) over alleged irregularities in the registration and functioning of the Ladakh Women Cooperative Society Ltd, with official records pointing to the role of the then Deputy Commissioner (DC), Leh, who also served as the society’s ex-officio chairman.

According to officials, the General Administration Department (GAD), Ladakh, in a letter dated July 30 to the Additional Secretary, MHA, highlighted several issues that surfaced during an examination of departmental records.

The records show that the cooperative society was registered when IAS officer Prasanna Ramaswamy was serving as the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS). They further indicate that Ramaswamy and his wife, Abhilasha Bahuguna, were listed among the co-founder members of the society.

Since the Society’s Articles of Association designated the Deputy Commissioner, Leh, as its ex-officio chairman, Ramaswamy also assumed that position during his tenure as DC from 2015 to 2017. The administration has noted that departmental records do not reflect any prior approval from the competent authority for such an association.

Ramaswamy is presently serving as Commissioner/Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Jammu and Kashmir.

The letter further states that the society subsequently received grants, financial contributions and institutional support from both government and non-government agencies, including assistance from NABARD and funding under various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

The administration has also questioned the society’s application for registration of “Ladakh Pashmina Textiles” as a Geographical Indication (GI). According to the officials, departmental records do not indicate that the competent authority had approved the proposal, despite a representation claiming approval by the Director of Industries.

The communication also refers to an examination report issued by the GI Registry on September 11, 2025, which recommended a broader institutional framework and pointed out deficiencies requiring rectification before the application could be processed further.

Officials said the findings are based on scrutiny of available departmental records and have now been placed before the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration and appropriate action.