Ajay Patel Takes Over as President of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Strategic Insights -

Avinash Nair Ajay Patel, a civil engineer by profession and known for his close association with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has been appointed as the President of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). Patel, who is already a senior vice-president at the GCCI, has taken over as the President, making him the seventh organisation he will head. His influence and connections in the business and political circles are expected to enhance the voice of the GCCI, particularly with a focus on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ajay Patel, a civil engineer, has taken over as the President of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), marking his seventh organisation to head.
  • Patel has been associated with the co-operative sector in Gujarat, closely linked with Amit Shah, and has held various positions in the sector, including Chairman of Ahmedabad District Co-operative Bank (ADC Bank).
  • Patel has also filed a defamation complaint against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly defaming Shah by accusing him of money laundering during the 2016 demonetisation.
  • As the GCCI chief, Patel is expected to amplify the voice of industry and small-scale businesses, particularly in the MSMEs sector.
  • Patel has also held key positions in other organisations, including Chairman of New-Delhi based Co-operative Bank of India (COBI), Chairperson of Gujarat State Chess Association, and Vice-President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
  • Patel's family has strong ties to sports, with his father, Haribhai Patel, a former owner of a shop selling electrical goods and a rickshaw rental business, serving as the Vice-President of the Executive Council of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Statistics:

  • The Gujarat State Cooperative Bank Ltd, under Parmar's leadership, implemented 'core banking solutions', allowing centralised services from any bank branch.
  • The bank serves over 28 lakh farmers in Gujarat through 18 District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs).
  • The average deposit amount in the ADC Bank was Rs 46,795 per account holder, lower than in 18 district co-operative banks across Gujarat.
  • The total amount of demonetised currency exchanged by the ADC Bank within five days of demonetisation was Rs 748.58 crore.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd.
  • Contify.com
  • RTI reply cited by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala
  • The Ahmedabad-based United Cooperative Bank
  • Gujarat State Co-operative Bank Ltd