Kamal Ghorui
Pune: A delegation from the Western India Regional Council (WIRC) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) met Maharashtra’s Co-operative Commissioner Deepak Taware to discuss key issues concerning the state’s co-operative sector, including audit reforms, regulatory timelines and professional participation in policymaking.The delegation was led by WIRC Chairman CA Sourabh Ajmera and included RCM CA Abhishek Dhamne, Chairman of WIRC’s Coperative Committee and ICAI Pune Chairman CA Pranav Apte. The meeting, held at the commissioner’s office, was described as “constructive and forward-looking” by participants.Among the key demands raised was an extension of timelines for auditors’ empanelment for the 2026–29 period, citing procedural challenges and the need for adequate preparation time. The delegation also urged the state administration to formally involve chartered accountants in the drafting of the proposed new co-operative policy, drawing parallels with ICAI’s consultation models followed in the Income-tax and GST frameworks.Another major issue highlighted was the revision of audit fees for co-operative audits, which have remained unchanged since FY 2013–14. The delegation pointed out that the scope of audits, compliance requirements and professional accountability have expanded significantly over the past decade, warranting a corresponding update in remuneration structures.Officials present at the meeting included RCM CA Rajesh Agrawal, CA Nilesh Yeolekar, CA Nandkumar Kadam, senior chartered accountant Vasant Gund, and co-operative sector expert Satish Mundada.The interaction is seen as a step towards closer collaboration between the accounting profession and the co-operative administration in Maharashtra, with a focus on modernising regulatory frameworks and strengthening governance practices in the sector.
