Ex-GCMMF chief now faces ouster from Mehsana Union

He has been facing charges of corruption; his exit must be ratified by Supreme Court

Subject to ratification by Supreme Court, Vipul Chaudhary, ex-chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), now faces ouster from his own district milk producer's union at Mehsana on account of a notice issued by the registrar of cooperative societies, Gujarat.

Currently the chairman of the Mehsana District Milk Producers Union Ltd (MDMPUL), Chaudhary has been facing charges of corruption from union members. According to an order dated March 10, M A Narmawala, commissioner of cooperation and registrar of cooperative societies, Gujarat, Chaudhary is not only removed from the post of chairman of MDMPUL, but also barred from taking part in federation elections for the next three years. The order, however, would be referred to the Supreme Court, and would be effective only after the apex court ratifies it.

Narmawala explained, "Chaudhary had appealed to the Supreme Court while proceedings against him were on here, and had asked for a stay on the proceedings. The SC, however, did not stay the proceedings, but ruled that if the outcome of the proceedings are adverse for Chaudhary, it should be referred to the apex court, and would be effective only after the SC ratifies it."

Despite repeated attempts, Chaudhary could not be contacted for a comment on the matter. Narmawala, however, claimed that a copy of the order has been shared with Chaudhary, and a copy would now be sent to the Supreme Court. He also confirmed that action against Chaudhary has been taken in regard to charges of corruption that were levelled against him and his aides, by fellow MDMPUL members.

MDMPUL members had alleged that after Chaudhary became the chairman of MDMPUL, financial irregularities and illegalities have surfaced. In a public interest litigation (PIL) filed before the Gujarat High Court, petitioners Baldev Chaudhary and Mangal Patel, members of MDMPUL had alleged that misappropriation in production of cattle feed by Mehsana Union had resulted in loss of Rs  200 crore to the union. They had further claimed that Mehsana union was charging more for cattle feed from members.

Moreover, they had said that Chaudhary as the chairman had declared to donate 22,500 metric tonne cattle feed from GCMMF to the draught affected areas of Maharashtra, at a time when there was draught in Gujarat as well.  Rs  22.5 crore worth of cattle feed was donated to Maharashtra, without approval of the board of directors of the federation. Also, in financial year 2012-13 Mehsana Union sold 7,000 metric tonne milk powder directly at the rate of Rs  162-164 per kg, while the same powder was sold by the GCMMF at Rs  205-210 per kg, the petitioners had claimed in the PIL.

In November 2013, the Gujarat High Court directed the state government to inquire the allegation of corruption against Chaudhary and his close aides in Mehsana Union while hearing a PIL.