Sometime in late 1985, several distributors of Siliguri, viz: Lt. Bidesh Ranjan Mazumdar, Shri Prahlad Agarwal, Lt. Ramkrishna Goel, Shri Suraj Kundalia, Shri Omprakash Mundra and Shri Sushil Marda had a meeting to explore the possibility of forming an association to protect the interests of Distributors. All were surprised to learn that they all faced similar problems, which they suffered individually as they did not have the benefit and supportive strength of an Association. A larger meeting was convened by Shri Lalit Marda some days later of 17 Distributors from Siliguri. The attendees unanimously decided to form an Association and gave themselves the name of Siliguri Distributors’ Association, with Lt. Bidesh Ranjan Mazumdar as President and Shri Prahlad Agarwal as Secretary. Thus was created what we believe is the first and best known Distributor Association of Eastern India and probably in all of India The SDA has now progressed to over 152 members, with a written and registered constitution, own office premises, and immense goodwill amongst both the Distribution fraternity as well as amongst Companies for the remarkable record of fair, pragmatic and businesslike activities. The SDA has provided a platform not only for redressal of problems of Distributors and Companies, but also a forum for distributors to know each other, learn from each other, share experiences and information, and develop a relationship based on co-operation, trust and friendship.

Too often existing Distributors are terminated without sufficient cause and without settling claims, without clearing stocks and market outstandings, and too often because of unprofessional reasons. While our association has tried to ensure that such changes take place only if there are reasonable and valid grounds, after giving the existing distributor adequate opportunity to meet the Company’s genuine requirements. We also ensure that claims and other issues are settled in a time bound and fair manner. Today it is to our credit that most Companies cooperate with us and are willing to discuss with us to resolve not only our issues but even take our help in resolving issues in other towns of the area so that the trade can progress.

This has been a major concern and while we have not been able to totally streamline or standardise credit practices as the same will necessarily vary with the type of product / market / company policy, etc., we have tried to build healthy relations with the retail trade and have sufficiently educated our members to minimise their problems.

We had been initially alleviate some of the problems such as Rickshaw Van licences, and continue to take steps action against forcible Chanda collections, checkpost problems etc. We have an image of a clean and organised trade which is doing a valuable service to the community by delivering products at door-steps even in the remote interiors at uniform prices.

By and large there is an understanding amongst our members not to recruit staff working with their colleagues without doing a background check and taking an NOC. We have also taken action in several cases of fraud and embezzlement of money of our members. The knowledge that we will take collective action has served as an effective deterrent to anyone contemplating such acts.

Our Association constantly tries to educate our members on many accounting, taxation and administrative procedures. One of the most outstanding features of our Association is that we have transparent and democratic selection of office bearers, resulting in committed and pragmatic management. Seniors continue to be held in respect and their valuable and balanced opinions honoured. Another remarkable and unique feature of our Association is that we work through consensus and have a remarkable fellowship amongst our members. Our Association will probably be unique in that we have never had to hold elections, but unanimously select the Board. This is the legacy that I feel the stalwarts would like to leave for the next generation of Distributors. It is hoped the SDA will continue its excellent track record of serving as a forum for resolution of problems of the trade, and set the standards for all other Distributor Associations to follow.