No-confidence motion against Amul chairman

Troubles seem to be brewing again at the Rs 8,000-crore Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which owns and markets the Amul brand of milk and milk products in the country. Just a few weeks after the controversy surrounding the exit of B M Vyas (former MD) from the federation was resolved, a majority of the GCMMF board members today moved a no-confidence motion against its current chairman, Parthi Bhatol, who replaced Verghese Kurien in 2006. Ironically, the founding chairman and the father of the white revolution in the country was also forced to quit GCMMF amid threats of a no-confidence motion against him.

 

GCMMF, the apex marketing body of all the 13 district dairy unions in Gujarat, has been gripped in a major power tussle since May, as a majority of the board members have been demanding Bhatol step down from the post of chairman. The ongoing row over the chairmanship intensified today when 10 of 13 board members refrained from attending the annual general meeting (AGM), which could not take place due to non-quorum.

“No-confidence has been moved against Bhatol as board members do not have confidence in him,” said a disgruntled member, who did not want to be named. GCMMF officials also confirmed the development.

When contacted, Parthi Bhatol said he did not see any valid reason for board members demanding his resignation.

A requsitioned meeting has been called on August 21 to discuss the no-confidence motion against Bhatol. All the board members were present in the GCMMF campus on Thursday but 10 members chose to meet in Amul’s guesthouse instead of Bhatol’s office.