After no-trust motion, GCMMF chief faces charges of corruption in Mehsana Union

Gujarat High Court orders inquiry into allegation based on PIL by members of Mehsana Union

After no-confidence motion from member unions, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) chairman Vipul Chaudhary is facing charges of corruption from members of the Mehsana District Milk Producers Union Ltd (MDMPUL), which is also headed by him.

Gujarat High Court has directed the state government to inquire the allegation of corruption against Chaudhary and his close aides in Mehsana Union while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Baldev Chaudhary and Mangal Patel members of MDMPUL.

A division bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala on Thursday directed the state government to inquire into the allegations made in the PIL and submit report before them within three weeks. Next hearing on matter is kept on December 19.

In their PIL, the petitioners have alleged that there has been large-scale corruption at various levels by the MDMPUL chairman Vipul Chaudhary and his close aides. "The petition is filed in the interest of milk producers connected with the Mehsana District Milk Producers Union Ltd (MDMPUL). After Vipul Chaudhary became the chairman of MDMPUL the financial irregularities and illegalities have surfaced," the PIL stated.

The petitioners have alleged that misappropriation in production of cattle feed by Mehsana Union has resulted in loss of Rs  200 crore to the union. They have further claimed that Mehsana union was charging more for cattle feed from members.

They added that Chaudhary declared to donate 22,500 metric tonne cattle feed from GCMMF to the draught affected areas of Maharashtra. At that relevant point of time there was draught in Gujarat also, but for getting political milage, Chaudhary donated Rs  22.5 crore worth of cattle feed 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 said in the PIL, indicating alleged irregularities by Chaudhary acting as Mehsana Union chairman.

It has also been alleged that Chaudhary was not acting as per the bye-laws of the union in appointment of officials. "As per the bye-laws of Mehsana Milk Union, there is no post of vice chairman, but one Jaluben Desai has been appointed to the post and has been given two cars that are actually utilised by her husband who regularly attends MDMPUL office," they said, adding that recruitment were not done in transparent manner.

"Large scale appointments have been made from the Chaudhary community and that too without any qualification defeating the right of others," the petition said. The petitioner have also pointed out that Chaudhary's close aides, though not holding any official post in the Union, were involved in day-to-day activities of the organisation and have been made in-charge of crucial units.

Another charge by the Mehsana Union members is that milk producers of Mehsana Union are being paid less amount for per kg fat of milk compared to other unions. "The Mehsana Union is charging higher rate on milk from the consumers and paying less to milk producers," the petition read. There has also been complaint by GCMMF about substandard milk supplied from Mehsana Union, they pointed out.