Rashi back on track in Odisha

IT Associaiton of Odisha lifts up ban on Rashi Peripherals; ask's CIITA to suggest alternatives with procuring process

In a dramatic move over the ongoing squabble between Confederation of Indian IT Associations (CIITA) and Rashi Peripherals (RP), IT Association of Odisha (ITAO), a member association of CIITA has lifted its supposed ban on RP citing loss of business due to the fall-out with RP and no imminent solution in the near future.

The association had held a general meeting back in November where ITAO decided to lift the ban on RP after its members stated that the ban is impacting business as RP has some crucial products in its portfolio which is difficult to source from other distributors following the prohibition on RP issued by ITAO.

Post the meeting, ITAO had sent a notification to CIITA expressing its wish to continue the business relations with RP and asked for a suggestion over procurement since the ban was on place. However, sources in ITAO said that they did not get any reply or response over a course of one month after which the association deemed fit to permit its members to continue deals with RP.

"We have sent notifications to members asking them to continue with their deals as RP has major products in their portfolio which otherwise is not available for the channel partners except through RP", said Dayananda Ratho, secretary, ITAO.

CIITA was considering sending out communications to vendors informing them about the ongoing crisis with RP and eastern associations and clarify their stand over the dispute. However, sources in ITAO stated that they did not receive any update over the decision and hence decided to take their own course of action.

CIITA had earlier appointed Alok Garodia to moderate over the CIITA-RP issue as it was stuck in a stalemate after issuing notification to its member associations to ask the members to "refrain" from trading with RP.

Channel partners in Odisha also claimed that they so not have any major problems either with RP or Savera Marketing Agency but had supported CIITA's appeal out of "goodwill" and as a "responsible founder member of the confederation".

"We don't have any problems with RP or SMA here; the problem originated in north-east which was taken up by CIITA and as founder members of CIITA had upheld the ban. But now, with no solutions being offered, we are suffering with our business deals and hence recommended to remove the ban", a channel partner said wishing not to be named.

Members of ITAO also stated that business in the state was affected to a major extent during the festive seasons as a result of the ban.

With ITAO resuming its deals with RP, the Odisha based association has become the first member of CIITA to lift up the ban on RP.