GCMMF's board sacks chairman

GCMMF board dashes off letter to Vipul Chaudhary informing him about the decision

Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)’s board of directors removed Vipul Chaudhary as chairman with effect from Saturday.

The federation is popular for its Amul brand of dairy products.

“You are requested not to act and represent yourself as chairman henceforth,” reads a January 11 letter signed by Managing Director R S Sodhi.

Chaudhary confirmed the development but refused to comment further. He continues to be a board member as representative of the Mehsana Milk Producers’ Union, of which he is also the chairman.

• Vipul Chaudhary elected GCMMF chairman in August 2012
• Milk procurement during Chaudhary’s tenure grew 20% to 13 million kg a day
• Milk procurement from outside Gujarat grew 60% to reach 1.4 million kg a day
• Sales turnover grew 17.72% to reach Rs 13,735 crore in 2012-13
• During 2012-13, Amul Parlour network expanded at a rate of three stores daily, taking the total tally of exclusive stores to 7,000
• GCMMF added one more milk union, Kutch District Cooperative Milk Union
• Expanded distribution reach to 1,200 new markets in the past 12 months

The letter comes after a bench of judges R R Tripathi and Mohinder Pal at the high court here had on Friday dismissed Chaudhary’s appeal against implementation of a no-confidence motion against him on January 10.

The GCMMF board unanimously passed the motion against Chaudhary on December 5.

Chaudhary has approached the Supreme Court, challenging the bench order. A hearing is likely this week.

VIPUL CHAUDHARY SHOWN THE DOOR

Oct 23, 2013: Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)'s board meets to discuss a no-confidence motion against Chairman Vipul Chaudhary
Oct 24: 14 of 17 directors move the motion against him
Oct 25, 2013: Gujarat High Court (HC) stays meeting of board members
Dec 4, 2013: HC allows discussion on the motion
Dec 5, 2013: GCMMF members pass the motion against their chief
Dec 6, 2013: Supreme Court refuses to interfere with the motion
Dec 13, 2013: GCMMF seeks implementation of the motion against Chaudhary from HC
Jan 6, 2014: A single judge bench of Gujarat HC allows implementation of the motion
Jan 10, 2014: A division bench of Gujarat HC dismisses Chaudhary's appeal against implementation of the motion
Jan 11, 2014: Chaudhary removed as chairman of GCMMF