Manipur Milk Producers' Cooperative Union chairman clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2022: Chairman of Manipur Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited Chongtham Ramananda Singh has condemned allegations leveled against him by dairy farmers today.

Claiming those who issued statements against him were not members of the union, he said the issues the union is facing is a result of the former managing director's failure to hold a single general body meeting and prepare an audit statement for 4 years.

Notably, dairy farmers had protested at the premises of the union at Porompat yesterday.

Speaking to media persons, he said the project sanction committee of the Centre's Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, to give more autonomy to the union, had written to it to appoint its own managing director twice.

Moreover, a meeting of the union's board of directors with the representatives of the National Dairy Development Board, State Veterinary Department and former managing director was held at Hotel Classic and it had decided to appoint "a self employed person" to the post of the managing director.

As a result, the nomination of a Joint Director by the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry was rejected in 2018, he claimed.

Further, regarding this, the union had also conducted a special general body meeting and it had recommended appointment of a former Director of the Department (Veterinary and Animal Husbandry) who has experience in the field to the post of the managing director.

Moreover, in October last, the 12 board of directors of the union had also decided to exert pressure for early approval of the recommendation of the former Director as managing director.

Letters were also written to the Departments concerned to this effect, he claimed.

Amid all these, the nodal Department of Veterinary had nominated a Joint Director for the post of the managing director.

It is not yet clear who will get the approval to assume the post of the managing director, the former Director recommended by the union or the Joint Director nominated by the nodal Department (Veterinary), he said.

To settle the issue, all should work together, he said, appealing to the board of directors of the union and the members.

Blaming only the chairman for the issues the union is facing would be wrong, he said, claiming he had done his job following the instructions of the Government of India.

Also, funds can't be released as there is no managing director at present.

Releasing funds requires the signature and approval of the managing director.

Nothing can be done as chairman against the decision of the board of directors and affiliated members, he said.

"I have been doing my best to make the union strong and give whatever it deserves as a cooperative union," he said, adding that before jumping to conclusions and blaming him, the members should first understand the issues clearly.

Most importantly, a writ petition is pending before the Court.

Before a final decision has been made, he can't be removed from his post as the chairman of the union, according to the Court.

Individuals protesting and demanding his removal may face the charge of contempt of Court.

Further, legal actions would be taken against the media concerned if it continues to write against the Court order, he said.

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