HT Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, Aug 19: Serious anomalies have been alleged in the functioning of the premier socio-cultural organisation, Sivasagar Yuva-dal, during the tenure of the outgoing president, Anil Dutta, and secretary, Santosh Dutta (2021-2023). In a press meet held at Sivasagar Press Club on Saturday, former president Rajani Changkakoty raised serious questions about the workings of the committee, particularly the actions of secretary Santosh Dutta, including the deliberate neglect of several founding members of the reputed institution while glorifying others with vested interests. Changkakoty alleged that Santosh Dutta, who was elected for a two-year term, ended his tenure in one year and eight months, in total disregard of the institution’s constitution.
During his tenure, Dutta, as alleged by Changkakoty, disregarded a resolution of the previous committee regarding the adoption of the institution’s theme song, composed by leading lyricist Ratul Krishna Sharma of Tezpur. Sharma’s song was presented during the golden jubilee celebrations in 2016 in the presence of the then chief minister Tarun Gogoi, minister Rakibul Hussain, and Bismrita Gogoi. Considering the situation as a serious injury to his reputation, the lyricist sent a pleader’s notice to Yuva-dal through his lawyer Bandana Boro on November 16, 2023. Changkakoty, through a release, raised questions over the adoption of another song written by Sahityacharjya Nahendra Padun as the theme song of Yuva-dal. Changkakoty alleged that this incident tarnished the image of the institution, which was established by several educationists, philanthropists, and social workers, including Laksmikanta Mahanta, Suresh Saikia, Sonaram Baruah, Guna Baruah, Anil Bhattacharjya, Dilip Borkotoky, Hem Barua, Nandalal Baruah, Promod Boro, Khagen Dutta, Milan Dutta, Amulya Khatoniar, and Manik Kotoky.
Related Posts:
The release also alleged that the secretary deliberately overlooked the financial contributions of some founding members and did not mention their names in his report. The new Yuva-dal auditorium was constructed with Rs 30 lakhs from the LAD fund of then-MP Naznin Farooqui and Rs 35 lakhs from the Chief Minister’s Untied Fund provided by Tarun Gogoi, the then chief minister. The then Transport minister, Anjan Dutta, who took a keen interest in the new construction works, is also said to have donated Rs 20 lakhs. The construction began in 2013. However, there is no official record of it in the Yuva-dal files, Changkakoty alleged.
Santosh Dutta, however, refuted the allegations of any anomalies. He told this correspondent that the Yuva-dal is governed by a constitution, and the secretarial report is scrutinised by the executive committee before being presented at the general meeting. Hence, the allegations are not based on facts, and the person who himself was a former president has acted against the spirit of the institution’s constitution.
