Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court has ordered the immediate reinstatement of the elected board of the Milma Thiruvananthapuram Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union, setting aside the state government's decision to dissolve the board and replace it with an administrative committee.
A Division Bench comprising Justices A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and A. K. Preetha declared the dissolution illegal and quashed the July 25 order issued by the Director of the Dairy Development Department, which had removed the elected board from office.
The state government had cited alleged irregularities in the distribution of ghee to Sabarimala as the reason for dissolving the elected board and appointing an administrative committee.
Milma had earlier denied any lapses in the matter, maintaining that the ghee supplied met the prescribed quality standards and had undergone stringent quality checks.
The High Court's order came following an appeal filed by the Union's president and other office-bearers challenging the government's decision.
By quashing the dissolution order and directing the board's reinstatement, the court has restored the elected management of the Thiruvananthapuram Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union.
The ruling marks a significant development in the dispute surrounding the administration of the regional dairy cooperative and the allegations linked to ghee distribution at Sabarimala.