Milma Malabar union board dissolution politically motivated, alleges chairman K.S. Mani
He challenges UDF government and the Dairy Development department to supply evidence of corruption; says that people cannot be blamed for suspecting that the dissolution was part of a clandestine move to destroy Milma
Political tensions are intensifying within Kerala's Milk Marketing Federation (Milma) following the dissolution of the board overseeing the Milma's Malabar regional union, according to Milma chairman K.S. Mani. The dissolution of the Malabar Regional Cooperative Milk Producers' Union occurred earlier this month, following the termination of the Thiruvananthapuram union's board in July.
Mani accused the dissolution of the Malabar board of being politically motivated and called on the United Democratic Front (UDF) government and the Dairy Development department to provide evidence of corruption.
Mani, speaking at a press conference, expressed concern that citizens might suspect the dissolution was part of a covert attempt to dismantle Milma. He added that he is uncertain how long he will continue as Milma chairman. Of Milma's three regional unions, the dissolved boards of the Thiruvananthapuram and Malabar unions held a Left Democratic Front (LDF) majority, while the Ernakulam regional union remains governed by a UDF-led director board.
Mani, who assumed his position as chairman in 2021 during an LDF government, alleged that the Malabar union was dissolved unilaterally and in contravention of established procedures. On Monday, Mani's press conference took place before the Milma federation's annual general body meeting, set to commence at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. With two director boards now dissolved, Mani questioned whether the meeting would have the necessary quorum.
On September 20, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Bindhu Krishna stated that the Malabar union was dissolved following the detection of significant irregularities, and the Dairy Development department had initiated a thorough investigation. However, Mani disputed this claim, asserting that Minister had been deceived. He suggested a smokescreen had been deployed to dissolve the union, noting that none of the government representatives on the Malabar union board had raised concerns about any of its decisions.
The Director of the Dairy Development department issued orders dissolving the director board of the Thiruvananthapuram Regional Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Ltd (TRCMPU) on July 25, resulting in the LDF losing its majority in the Milma federation. The board of the Malabar union was subsequently dissolved on September 18. Mani remains chairman by virtue of a High Court interim order.
He also registered his strong objection to the suspended recruitment of officers and workmen in the Thiruvananthapuram and Malabar unions. The recruitment process had proceeded transparently under the supervision of a recruitment committee, reaching its final stage before being halted. The remaining steps included a skill test, group discussion, interviews for relevant positions, rank list preparation, and appointments.
Additional delays could result in financial implications for Milma, as well as a shortage of human resources, according to the chairman.
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