Sabarimala ghee row: Milma denies lapses, welcomes investigation

The Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Milma) on Monday firmly denied any lapses on its part in the supply of ghee to the Sabarimala temple, asserting that all consignments were dispatched after stringent quality checks. Milma chairman K.S. Mani said the ghee supplied was of genuine premium quality, packed in sealed 15 kg tins, making any in-transit alteration or tampering impossible.

Addressing the media, Mr. Mani explained that the sealed consignments were received at the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) godown by TDB officials. Thereafter, the handling and use of the ghee was entirely outside Milma's control, he added. The allegations pertain to ghee supplied by Milma's Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cooperative Milk Producers' Union (TRCMPU) from its Pathanamthitta dairy.

The Milma chairman welcomed the investigation into the allegations, stating that if indeed Milma ghee was replaced with a substandard product after delivery, it would amount to a serious offence. He noted that Milma has not received any official communication from the TDB regarding complaints about the quality of the ghee supplied to Sabarimala. Furthermore, Milma has received full payment for the supplies, he said.

Mr. Mani also revealed that following the allegations, the managing director of the Milma federation sought explanations from the TRCMPU managing director on two occasions, but no reply has been received to date. This raises questions about internal communication within the cooperative network.

Clarifying the TDB's position, Mr. Mani said the board has not stated that it would cease taking ghee from Milma. Instead, the TDB's decision is to stop outside procurement of ghee altogether, since the ghee donated by devotees is sufficient to meet the requirements at Sabarimala. This move is seen as a procedural change rather than a reflection on Milma's quality.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the TRCMPU, which has recently been in the news after its director board was dissolved by the Dairy Development Board citing serious financial irregularities. While the ghee quality allegations and the board dissolution are separate matters, they have collectively drawn attention to the functioning of the cooperative body.

Milma has reiterated its commitment to quality and transparency, expressing confidence that the investigation will clear its name. The TDB has not yet made an official statement on the matter, but the probe is expected to determine whether the ghee was indeed tampered with after delivery or if there was any negligence in handling.

This incident highlights the complexities involved in the supply chain of temple offerings, where multiple agencies are involved. The outcome of the investigation will be crucial for all stakeholders, including devotees who trust the sanctity and quality of offerings made at Sabarimala.