JS body for removing syndicates in Milk Vita

Financial Express, 27 July 2012

A parliamentary watchdog Thursday observed that numbers of syndicates comprised of workers and officials of Bangladesh Milk Producers’ Cooperative Association popularly known as Milk Vita, have made hostage the sate-run cooperative for milk production which sells milk at a price higher than the price fixed by the cooperatives.

The parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Local Govern-ment, Rural Develo-pment and Cooperatives at a meeting asked the government to remove these syndicates to bring transparency to Milk Vita Cooperatives Union Ltd, which supplies the major portion of processed milk for the consumers.

“At least three syndicates are responsible for most irregularities in Milk Vita,” said London Rahmat Ali, chairman of the committee, adding, these groups have brought the cooperative on the verge of collapse.

Without mentioning the names of the gangs, he suggested termination of the employees and officials involved in the racket.

The ministry informed that it had formed a three-member committee by this time to investigate alleged irregularities in Milk Vita.

“We may launch investigation on our own if the ministry’s probe seems unsatisfactory,” Lawmaker Rahmat Ali told reporters at his office.

Recent price hike of pasteurized milk was criticised in the meeting. It asked the government to monitor the price to ensure fair price for the consumers, especially during the month of Ramadan.

State minister for local government Jahangir Kabir Nanak, committee members Abul Khayer Bhuiyan, Ashraf Ali Khan, Monowar Hossain and AKM Mostafizur Rahman, among others, attended the meeting.

It was decided in the meeting that it will follow up the investigation committee’s activities.

Some of the lawmakers attending the meeting alleged that supply of processed milk is inadequate in the capital and asked the authorities concerned to increase supply.