Dr Verghese Kurien opposed NDDB’s decision to form marketing joint ventures with state dairy federations under a Mother Dairy subsidiary. Addressing the mediapersons here, Dr Kurien said “I am not against joint ventures per se. It is just that this move would convert cooperatives into government entities with NDDB keeping 51 per cent (majority) stake, thereby affecting farmers’ interests. Instead, if the state federations approach GCMMF for marketing tie-ups, it would be better for them. We may even allow them to use Amul brandname if they keep to our quality standards.”Kurien said that in 2002, the NDDB exited from a joint venture with Metro Dairy, Kolkata where it sold off its 10 per cent stake to the ICICI Bank. NDDB till date has signed only joint venture with Kerala Dairy Federation, known popularly as Milma. Dr Kurien also stated that recently the chairman of Milma stated on his plans to re-think about staying with the JV. “He told me that anything which comes out of Anand must be approved by Kurien,” said Dr Kurien. The matter is expected to be taken up at a meeting called by Kerala’s Opposition party at Palaghat. NDDB though has rejected on “such rethink”.
