A controversy has been created over the issue of perks being given to Dr Kurien, the father of the White Revolution in the country recently..
A controversy has been created over the issue of perks being given to Dr Varghese Kurien, the father of the White Revolution in the country, after it was raised in the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation(GCMMF) board meeting held recently.
BJP MLA and Baroda Dairy chairman Madhu Srivastava took objection to continuation of perks to Kurien, an item on the agenda of the meeting pending the board's approval, stating that it was not as per the Gujarat Cooperative Act.
"It is learnt that the Gujarat Government had sent a letter to the GCMMF board to discontinue perks given to Dr Kurien and that is why this matter was brought before the board on Wednesday for taking a decision on it, Srivastava said on Friday.
Dr Kurien, who spent 33 years at helm of affairs in GCMMF before retiring in 2006, is being provided perks in the form of cars, drivers and cooks.
"I am not opposed to perks being given to Dr Kurien after his retirement as he has played an important role in bringing the White Revolution in the country, Srivastava said.
"It is a technical matter as the Gujarat Cooperative Act, in force since 1963, does not mention providing of any such facilities after one connected with the board, ceases to be its member after retirement," he further said.
The GCMMF board has not taken a decision on it and is likely to go to state government for approval of the perks before the next meeting.
At present, the perks have not been withdrawn, Srivastava said.
Srivastava said he had suggested putting off taking a decision on the issue in the present meeting and suggested that an order be sought from the Registrar of Cooperatives of Gujarat government over continuation of perks to Kurien.
He said he had no objection to Kurien getting the perks after government approval.
Gujarat government, however, said it was not concerned with the matter.
"Continuation of perks to Dr Kurien is not a matter of concern for the Gujarat government. It is for the GCMMF to take a decision on it. The Cooperative Act is very clear on that," Gujarat agriculture minister Dilip Sanghani said.
All 13 milk dairies located in various parts of the state are members of GCMMF and their chairmen are on its board.
Approval of continuation of perks to Kurien could cause violation of the Act leading to disqualification of all 13 members on the board. The board members may also have to bear the expenditure for the perks being provided to Kurien, Srivastava said.
Srivastava said that he had also suggested during the meeting that Kurien be made an advisor to the GCMMF board. The Act does not prevent giving of perks to advisors or any other employees, he added.
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