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Ladakh Removes IAS Officer as Looms Cooperative Chairman
Prasanna Ramaswamy has been removed as chairman of a women’s cooperative in Ladakh.
The deputy commissioner of Leh, Romil Singh Donk, is set to take over that role.
Officials are examining how the cooperative was registered and whether Ramaswamy had permission to be connected with it.
Records list Ramaswamy and his wife as co-founders.
Officials also want to check the cooperative’s membership and whether either of them received money or other benefits.
The cooperative says Ramaswamy only gave advice while it was being set up and later stepped away.
It says it has followed the law and that no final finding against it has been made.
The administration has also raised questions about an application concerning Ladakh Pashmina textiles.
The matter has been referred to higher authorities for examination.
IAS officer Prasanna Ramaswamy has been removed as chairman of the Looms of Ladakh Women Cooperative.
Leh Deputy Commissioner Romil Singh Donk will take charge as ex-officio chairman under the cooperative’s Articles of Association.
The Ladakh Administration has raised questions about Ramaswamy’s and his spouse’s co-founder status and whether he had approval to associate with the cooperative.
Officials cited audited receipts of about Rs 1.67 crore over three financial years and Rs 107.50 lakh in NABARD grant assistance.
The cooperative rejects the allegations, says it operated lawfully under elected management, and says no adverse or conclusive finding has been recorded against it.
- Who
- Prasanna Ramaswamy, the Looms of Ladakh Women Cooperative, and Leh Deputy Commissioner Romil Singh Donk.
- What
- Ramaswamy was removed as the cooperative’s chairman, and Donk will take charge as its ex-officio chairman.
- Where
- Leh, Ladakh.
- When
- The removal was reported on October 6; Ramaswamy had been transferred to Lakshadweep on August 12.
- Why
- The administration is examining alleged irregularities and a possible conflict of interest related to the cooperative’s registration, Ramaswamy’s association with it, and its financial assistance.
Administration’s concerns
Cooperative’s response
Ramaswamy’s association and possible conflict of interest
Administration’s concerns
The administration says records show Ramaswamy was associated with the cooperative’s registration and that his wife was listed as a co-founder. It says records examined do not show required approval for his association and describes the circumstances as raising a prima facie conflict-of-interest concern.
Cooperative’s response
The cooperative says Ramaswamy provided voluntary guidance during its establishment, never held an elected position, and dissociated himself from its affairs after registration.
Cooperative’s conduct and oversight
Administration’s concerns
Officials say the cooperative’s books and membership records should be examined in greater detail, including whether Ramaswamy or his spouse claimed any financial benefit.
Cooperative’s response
The cooperative says it is a democratically governed, women-owned institution that has operated independently under elected management and in accordance with the law. It says no adverse or conclusive finding has been made against it.
Ladakh Pashmina GI application
Administration’s concerns
The administration’s preliminary examination says records did not establish that the director of industries had approved the application as indicated in the original document.
Cooperative’s response
The cooperative says the application was initiated through the Ministry of Textiles with support from the Handloom Export Promotion Council, and that it did not claim prior departmental approval had been obtained.
Key facts
- Outgoing chairman
- Prasanna Ramaswamy, a 2010-batch IAS officer.
- Incoming chairman
- Leh Deputy Commissioner Romil Singh Donk, serving ex officio under the Articles of Association.
- Cooperative registration
- Registered in 2017; Ramaswamy was Registrar of Cooperative Societies and Deputy Commissioner, Leh, during 2015–2017.
- Listed co-founders
- Registration documents list Ramaswamy and his spouse, Abhilasha Bahuguna, as co-founder members.
- Reported receipts
- The cooperative reported Rs 50.76 lakh in FY 2022–23, Rs 71.34 lakh in FY 2023–24, and Rs 44.99 lakh in FY 2024–25.
- NABARD assistance
- Officials said Rs 107.50 lakh was sanctioned under a project to strengthen and broaden the Pashmina and wool value chain in Leh.
- Review status
- The matter has been referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs for examination and appropriate action.
Sources
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