KMF managing director gets the sack

The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) Board on Wednesday removed M N Venkataram from the managing director’s post, following alleged irregularities in the procurement of cattle seed cakes. A S Premnath has been brought back as the in-charge managing director.

The Board has also decided to remove Narasimha Reddy, Director (FInance), and Dr Bernard Director (Animal Husbandry).

The State government has already ordered a probe into the issue. Hence, it is not proper for Venkataram to continue in the post, stated a one-line resolution passed in the Board meeting held at the KMF main office.

The KMF had allegedly approved procurement of cattle seed cakes at inflated rates recently. The Federation needs about 3,500 metric tonnes of cattle seed cakes every month. But it had procured about 28,000 metric tonnes from an Andhra Pradesh-based company at Rs 30 crore.

The Board also passed a resolution urging the State government to appoint an IAS officer as the managing director of the Federation. The Board, however, decided to defer a proposal to appoint two managing directors — one for administration and another for projects — for better administration, sources said.

The meeting, chaired by Revanna Siddappa, witnessed a heated discussion on the alleged irregularities in the purchase of cattle seed cakes. Many members demanded that the managing director and other officials concerned be suspended immediately. But it was decided not to initiate any action till the probe ordered by the government was completed, sources said.

KMF chairperson G Somashekara Reddy, who is currently lodged in jail in connection with the cash-for-bail scam, had sent a letter stating that he was on leave of absence. Hence, none of the members raised the issue of removing Reddy from his post. As per the rules, the chairperson can take leave of absence thrice in a row.

On the proposal to increase the rate of cattle feed, the Board directed the Animal Husbandry Secretary, the Registrar of Co-operative Societies and the KMF managing director to submit a detailed report. A final decision will be taken based on the report.

The Board also decided to seek a financial assistance of Rs 250 crore for clearing the pending bills of dairy farmers.