GCMMF: Ramsinh Parmar is the new Chairman

Ramsinh Parmar- the man who fought BJP all his life could finally become the chairman of the pride of cooperatives in the country-GCMMF (popularly known as Amul)-only after breakingfree of Congress fold and embracing  BJP.

Parmar is the chairman of Kaira milk union from which GCMMF draws its brand name Amul. Parmar joined BJP and fought Assembly election on its ticket unsuccessfully. He has, however been rewarded by Monday’s election in which the BJP leadership decided to give him the mantle of GCMMF.

The position of Vice-Chairmanship remains with the incumbent Jethabhai Bharwad.

“Ramsinhbhai Parmar, Chairman, Kaira milk union has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) on Monday.  Also Jethabhai Bharwad has been unanimously elected as the Vice Chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)”, said a press release from GCMMF.

While Parmar’s nomination was proposed by Shankarbhai Chaudhary, Chairman, Banaskanth milk union and supported by Valamjibhai Humbal of Kutch milk union, outgoing Chairman Jethabhai Patel proposed the nomination of Vice-Chairman Jethabhai.

“GCMMF has thus maintained its glorious tradition of unanimous elections of its Chairmen since inception in 1973”, the release claims. Kaira is the place where the milk- revolution was born and this milk union is known as Amul Dairy. Parmar had been a Congress minister in the past.

This time the GCMMF elections saw the backroom maneuverings of top BJP leaders that included the Chief Minister and the state party president.  An important meeting of milk unions were called on Sunday where it was decided that the election would be held by consensus.

The election was held as the two-and-a half years tenure of Jetha Patel came to an end . But unlike the earlier elections, this time, heads of all the 18 district dairy unions in the state, who are board members in the federation, have their affiliation with BJP which is in power both at centre and in the state.

Shankarbhai Chaudhary of Banas dairy was the front runner but he was ticked off at the last minute.

Speaking on the occasion, the newly elected Chairman Parmar said that it was a matter of great honour to lead an institution which was founded by Dr V Kurien. Dairy cooperatives of Gujarat have been successful since last 7 decades due to high values and standards set by its founder leaders like Shri Tribhuvandas Patel and Dr Verghese Kurien, Parmar added.

The combination of dynamic farmer leadership and professional management has made federation the largest food organization in the country and among the top 13 dairy companies of the world, Parmar underlined. He also vowed to continue the endeavor to ensure that the federation deploys highest quality of ethical and value based management to strengthen the institution and achieve the growth plans.

The election was conducted by the Deputy Collector, Anand in presence of 18 members who are chairmen representing their district milk unions in the state.