Congress MLA Naushad Solanki has demanded a probe by CBI into the alleged embezzlement of funds in the guise of a Rs 100-crore milk packaging venture at Surendranagar District Cooperative Milk Producers Union (SDCMPU). In effect, about 1.25 lakh milk producers of the union stand cheated. Surendranagar District Cooperative Milk Producers Union (SDCMPU) is popularly known as “Sursagar Dairy.”
The leader has alleged that no action was taken against the misappropriation of funds to the tune of of Rs 65 crore between 2012 and 2014. “In 2012, the SDCMPU supplied two lakh liters per day of milk. There was a plan to set up a packaging plant. This involved an outlay of Rs 34 crore which included Rs 7 crore civil works and Rs 27 crore mechanical work. Instead, an estimated Rs 100 crore was spent. Milk producers have (farmers) filed complaints but to no avail,” stated the MLA Tuesday.
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) is a collective body of milk unions in the state, which markets milk under the Amul brand. The probe was handed over to Solanki, an MLA from Dasda constituency, after some discrepancy was noted during account taking.
“Investigation states that money worth Rs 65 crore was embezzled, causing loss to the milk producers union. It suggested that the state government should take action in this regard,” he briefed the House. Solanki further added that despite the registrar of cooperative societies in Gandhinagar demanding an immediate inquiry by registering a formal complaint in May 2016, little has been done.
When state industries minister Jagdish Vishwakarma did not take note of the issue in his reply to the House, Solanki stood up and said that Opposition members expect a reply when they raise an issue.
To this the minister replied: “The matter was investigated and a report was submitted. The police has been asked to file a complaint if the contractor failed to complete the work on time. I have all the answers.”
