Kurien criticises Gujarat govt's ''interference in GCMMF''

Anand, Apr 26 (UNI) Former Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) chairman Dr Verghese Kurien today expressed serious concern over Gujarat government's ''interference'' in the affairs of the country's largest dairy co-operative which elected a new chairman today amidst walkout by four of the Board members.

Reacting to the manner in which Banas Dairy chairman Parthiv Bhatol was elected chairman of the Rs 3600-crore GCMMF, the octogenarian co-operative leader, who was at the helm of affairs of the Federation since its inception in 1973, said, ''Business and politics should not be mixed.'' ''I hope the government will come to good sense and will not mix politics with the business affairs of the Federation,'' Dr Kurien, who tendered his resignation from the chairmanship of the Federation on March 20 following a rebellion against him, said.

Eighty four-year-old Dr Kurien also expressed concern over the future of the Federation and its 2.5 million farmer members because of groupism and bickerings among the Board members which was never witnessed in the past.

Dr Kurien, who was recently appointed as the first Chancellor of the Allahabad University by the Union Human Resources Development Ministry, appealed to all Board members to remain united for the cause of the poor farmers and the great institution of GCMMF which was kept away from political interference till now.

Recalling the contribution of the then leader Tribhubandas Patel in the establishment of the GCMMF in 1973, Dr Kurien said he was made the chairman of the Federation in 1974 by Mr Patel as he (Mr Patel) was opposed to any political interference in the co-operative sector.

UNI SS MAZ RL BST2137