‘Amul’ gets a new chairman

ANAND, Aug 18: Vipul Chaudhary, a former minister and chairman of Dudhsagar Dairy, was today elected as Chairman of the co-operative giant Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) that owns ‘Amul’ brand.
The 16-member board of the country’s largest co-operative elected Mr Chaudhary unanimously. Mr Chaudhary replaces Parthi Bhatol whose term ended on June 26.
Mr Chaudhary and Mr Bhatol, both are ruling BJP members.
Soon after his election, Mr Chaudhary told mediapersons here that he would try to increase the milk production during his tenure.
Referring to the insufficient rains in the state, he said that cattle-feed will be provided at 50 per cent discount to cattle-owners in Saurashtra and Kutch.
He said that the GCMMF will strive to provide relief to animals
in the scarcity-hit region with the help of the state and central governments.
‘Even if we don’t get the government help, the GCMMF will bear all the cost in providing relief to the cattle in the state,’ he  said.
The post of the chairman of Rs 11,660-crore GCMMF is considered a prestigious issue for rival political parties in the state. The GCMMF, the country’s largest cooperative, that has 27 lakh farmer members, had been abuzz with political activities ahead of the election today.
Earlier, following a petition by the Baroda dairy seeking elections, the Gujarat high court had last month directed the Anand district collector to complete Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) chairman’s election within 30 days. (UNI)