The Maharashtra government’s decision to appoint five directors to the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, popularly known as Gokul, has triggered a political controversy.
The proposal was accepted by the state cabinet on Wednesday, and will allow four out of directorship’s five members to vote.
Former Maharashtra minister and Congress leader, Satej Patil, has strongly raised his objections to taking it, saying that it is an attempt to take control of the prominent milk union.
Patil Questions Timing of Government Decision
The dispute comes on the heels of the Gokul elections, which saw the Congress-friendly panel headed by Patil as its largest of the lot.
The panel won 13 out of the 25 director seats and the party backed by Mahayuti won the remaining 12 seats.
Patil claimed that the decision of the government to appoint new directors was meant to set aside the decision taken by elected directors.
He also said that there was a bigger conspiracy plan to eventually pass on control of Gokul to Amul.
Allegations Over Dairy Sector Expansion
Patil also said that an organisation in nowhere Gujarat, called the Sardar Milk Federation, was with plans to spread its tentacles in 20 states as well as take over the milk unions.
He stated that a push was being made to make the dairy industry an industry with two large brands, Amul and Mother Dairy, dominating the Indian market.
The Political debate on the future of management and control of Kolhapur based cooperative milk union has now been further strengthened by the political decision taken by the Maharashtra government.