Kurien alleges 'discrimination' by GCMMF

Verghese Kurien has alleged that his office equipment was being taken back by the Federation.

Former Chairman of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Manufacturers Federation (GCMMF) Verghese Kurien has alleged that his office equipment was being taken back by the Federation.

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Kurien, father of India's modern dairy movement, dashed off a letter to all the Managing Directors and all GCMMF Board members on Saturday, saying that his personal assistant got a call from the Federation saying that the mobile phone, fax and photocopier of his office would be taken back.

In the letter, Kurien, quoting a letter from the GCMMF dated March 24, 2006, said that the Federation had agreed to retain the services he enjoyed as the Chairman of the Federation that includes a cook, car, driver, executive assistant etc.

"If this information (that all the facilities promised to be retained is being taken back) is true then it will be inconsistent with what was offered to me. If at all anything I would like to retain the most would be his (executive secretary) continued service", Kurien, who exited as GCMMF chairman in a huff said in the letter.

Kurien added that during his 40 year tenure with the GCMMF, the Federation has grown to the number one position in the food business in India with a turnover of Rs 3,500 crore.

Meanwhile, in reply to Kurien's letter, the Chairman of the Mehsana District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd (MDCMPU), Vipul Chaudhary has said that small and marginal milk producing farmers of Gujarat are determined to guard his (Kurien's) honour.