RCTA takes a backseat

At a time when IT associations across the country are either busy organizing
IT expos in their regions or chalking out plans to conduct one, all is quiet on
Rajasthan Computer Traders Association's (RCTA) front. RCTA was due to hold its
annual elections almost two months ago but as yet there are still no signs of
one taking place in the near future.

According to members of the association, they have been conducting regular
meets. But they admitted that concerns for holding the election or organizing
any activities were not being taken seriously.

Commenting on the sluggish status quo of the local body, Hira Singh, Public
Relations Officer, RCTA said, “Though we are organizing regular meets, we were
unable to take a final decision on the election date. The state election which
is also due, might lead to change in government, so we waiting for that to get
over.”

He added that though the members are in touch with each other, time
constraints and busy business schedules had resulted in a slight delay in these
activities. RCTA is now planning a family get together for its members.

The inactivity in the association is also a result of the lack of interest
from dealers in taking part in any activities planned. Members said that they
are not getting enough time to focus in this direction and that has slowed down
the activities in the association.

“We are actively looking for a solution to the issues that our dealers face
in the market. The reason for not conducting the election is that members were
unable to devote much time to it, and secondly nobody is willing to take
initiatives. Members are not ready to come forward and take charge of the
association,” commented Arinjay Jain, Secretary, RCTA.

Jain further said that over the last one year the market has been a bit slow
and customers are not taking much interest in IT expos, as seen from the recent
expos held by the government. “In Jaipur, customers are inclined towards
consumer product exhibitions or cultural fairs. Observing the poor result of
expos in the near past, the association is not willing to take the risk,” Jain
remarked.

Dealers in Jaipur however said it was not the slow market but the intention
of getting personal benefits from the association that had transformed it into
an inactive one. The existing members do not want to take the efforts and work
for the welfare of the entire channel community.

A Jaipur-based dealer on condition of anonymity said that the current office
bearers of RCTA were using their positions as a status symbol and they do want
to lose their position, hence they are not conducting elections. He also added
that there was a lot of politics involved and potential dealers in the city are
not eager to join.

Another dealer in Jaipur said that the association members do not want to
make efforts for channel benefit and this has resulted in loss of interest among
the dealers to participate in the activities.