GCMMF functioning well,say milk unions

Chairman of the Junagadh District Cooperative Milk Producers Union (Junagadh Dairy) Ramsinh Bhetariya said that apart from getting regular payments for the milk supplied to the federation,his dairy was also given zero-interest advance money.

According to Bhetariya,four district milk unions of Kutch,Amreli,Bhavnagar and Junagadh were not permanent members and hence,their chairmen did not have power to participate in the decision- making process of the board.

On the other hand,GCMMF chairman Parthi Bhatol said these four “nominal” members could become permanent members with powers to participate in the board’s general body activities if they supplied 30,000 litres milk per day for three years without any break.

He said the four unions,which were affiliated to the federation about a year ago,were revived by the state government with a view to boost milk production in Saurashtra and Kutch belt.

As milk supplies by these unions had been satisfactory,Bhatol hoped they would be incorporated as full-fledged members at the end of three years of their association with the federation. Bhatol said increase in the members would further help in enhancing the overall business and annual turnover of the federation.

Bhatol said the annual turnover of the federation has increased to Rs 8,000 crores from Rs 3,700 crores in the last four years.

Regarding non- payment of bonus to 13 district milk unions,Bhatol said it would be cleared once the audit is completed by the government-appointed auditor.

Board AGM in a fortnight to discuss resignation: Bhatol
The Annual General Meeting(AGM) of the board of directors of the Rs 8000-crore Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) will be held in the next 15 days. This was announced by federation chairman Parthi Bhatol after he held a meeting with federation members on Tuesday.

But an exact date for the AGM is yet to be finalised.

The chief agenda of the AGM,he said,is to seek acceptance for the resignation of Managing Director B M Vyas. Though Bhatol accepted Vyas’ resignation by using his emergency powers,and relieved him on June 11,it has to be ratified by the board members.

According to GCMMF sources,Bhatol may face problems in the AGM as some members have openly criticised his decision to accept the resignation without consulting them. Among the board members,who came out in the open against Bhatol is Ramsinh Parmar,the Chairman of Anand district milk producers’ union. Parmar has even threatened to withdraw the Amul brand from the GCMMF banner. Amul is the brand name of Anand district milk producers’ union.

On two occasions in May this year,the AGM was cancelled due to the lack of quorum. The presence of at least six members of the total 13 is required for holding an AGM. Most of the board directors had abstained on previous occasion owing to their differences with Bhatol on certain policy issues.

Bhatol hopes majority of the directors,who are all chairmen of their respective district milk unions,will attend the next AGM.