Act Against Sumul Dairy for Injustice to Tribal Women: GPCC to Gujarat Government

Surat : Darshan Naik, the General Secretary of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), has raised serious concerns over the treatment of poor tribal women in Surat and Tapi districts by the Board of Directors, Managing Director, and Chairman of the Surat District Milk Producers Cooperative Society Limited (Sumul Dairy). In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Naik has demanded a high-level investigation into the alleged mismanagement and corruption that has persisted within Sumul Dairy for an extended period.

Naik, in his letter, specifically calls for scrutiny of the role played by the in-charge Managing Director of Sumul Dairy in relation to the injustice and oppression faced by tribal women. He highlights the removal of tribal women from their supervisory positions within the women’s savings groups (WSGs) in Surat and Tapi districts. These women have made significant contributions, establishing over 6,000 women’s groups within a span of two years, with approximately 100,000 women saving Rs 100 per month, resulting in an estimated total savings of Rs 1 crore.

Sumul Dairy, which has been in operation for over five decades, heavily relies on milk societies and tribal areas for 80% of its milk supply. Despite this, Naik alleges neglect of the tribal community by the current management. While nine directors on the Board of Sumul Dairy hail from the tribal community, the Chairman, Mansinhhbhai Kalyanjibhai Patel, has failed to address the removal of the 22 women from their supervisor roles.

According to Naik, the in-charge Managing Director of Sumul Dairy disregarded the resolution passed by the Board of Directors and took action against the tribal women. The affected women have leveled serious accusations against Managing Director Arun Purohit and Saleha Vadvala.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that the District Registrar of Cooperative Societies holds a directorial position at Sumul Dairy and serves as the milk auditor. Despite this insider knowledge, the Registrar failed to address the exploitation of tribal women by the Dairy and its in-charge Managing Director.

The Special Milk Auditor has also sent a letter to the administrators of Sumul Dairy, seeking information about the alleged mismanagement of Rs. 1,000 crores over the past two years. While possessing the authority to access information regarding corruption, the Special Milk Auditor’s letter merely mentions names, raising concerns about a potential cover-up rather than a genuine investigation into corruption.

Expressing his frustration, Darshan Naik stated, “I have written numerous letters to the concerned departments and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, highlighting the irregularities and corruption at Sumul Dairy. Unfortunately, the government seems reluctant to respond to the issue due to political pressure.”

The demands made by Darshan Naik reflect the urgency to address the plight of tribal women who have suffered injustice and exploitation within the Sumul Dairy. It is crucial that a thorough investigation is conducted, ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of Sumul Dairy. The empowerment and protection of tribal communities, especially women, must remain a priority to promote equality, justice, and sustainable development.