Former Amul chairman finally removed from Mehsana dairy union too

Vipul Chaudhary fails to get relief from Apellate Authority, Gujarat govt and High, is directed to quit effective March 30

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Former chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which sells milk and milk products under the Amul brand, has been formally removed from the post of chairman of Mehsana District Milk Producers Union Ltd (MDMPUL) as he failed to get any relief from the Apellate Authority, government of Gujarat as well as the High Court of Gujarat, and was directed to vacate his office as chairman, Mehsana union with effect of March 30, 2015.

Chaudhary is facing charges of corruption from Union members, and according to an order dated March 10, M A Narmawala, commissioner of cooperation and registrar of cooperative societies, Gujarat, Chaudhary was not only removed from the post of chairman of MDMPUL, but also barred from taking part in cooperative society elections for the next three years. The order, however, was referred to the Supreme Court for its ratification.

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. 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. 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 the PIL. Eventually, following the row surrounding the unceremonious ousting of former chairman Vipul Chaudhary in January 2014, GCMMF unanimously elected Sabar Dairy chief chairman Jethabhai Patel as its chief until August 2015 when fresh elections would be held to elect the chairman for a three-year term.

Finally, on March 19, the SC  upheld Gujarat High Court's previous verdict on ouster of Chaudhary as chairman of GCMMF through a no-confidence motion by the federation's board of directors.

Further, in relation to his ouster as the chairman of Mehsana union, the government of Gujarat had issued an order on March 12,  under Section 76/B of Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act removing Chaudhary as chairman of MDMPUL  in view of the corruption and financial irregularities amounting to Rs  1,200 crores.The said order was challenged by  Chaudhary in the  Supreme Court.  The apex Court refused to grant any relief vide order dated March 20 and directed him to approach appropriate forum before March 30.

Accordingly Chaudhary approached Appellate Authority of government of Gujarat to stay the order under Section 76/B. However, vide order dated March 27, 2015, the Appellate Authority has rejected his application to stay the said order. Therefore, Chaudhary had filed petition in the High Court of Gujarat to stay the above orders.

However, Gujarat HC has also refused to grant any relief to him and therefore, he has to vacate his office as chairman, MDMPUL with effect from March 30. He has been disqualified to contest any election of any cooperative society for a period of three years nor hold any post in any cooperative society for three  years. The managing director  of Mehsana Milk Union has announced his removal as chairman Mehsana Milk Union vide office order MD/14-15/25238 dated March 30.