Kerala Assembly: Govt to recover ₹75.5 lakh loss from Sabarimala ghee irregularities, says Minister Bindhu Krishna
The Kerala government will recover the estimated ₹75.5 lakh loss incurred by the Thiruvananthapuram Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union (TRCMPU) in connection with alleged irregularities in the supply of ghee to Sabarimala from those found responsible after the final probe is received, Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry Minister Bindhu Krishna informed the Assembly on Friday.
Preliminary findings and financial loss
Responding during Question Hour, the Minister said a preliminary inquiry by the Dairy Development Department had established that TRCMPU supplied 1,55,010 litres of ghee to Sabarimala at ₹510 per litre. This was below both the prevailing wholesale price of ₹552.42 per litre and the market price of ₹720 per litre, leading to a substantial loss for the regional union.
Following the preliminary findings, the TRCMPU was dissolved after serious irregularities were flagged. The Minister added that further departmental proceedings related to the matter are in their final stages.
Vigilance probe and documentation
All files and records relevant to the alleged irregularities have been handed over to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), Ms. Krishna said. The government’s decision to initiate recovery will be acted upon once the final investigation report is submitted and culpability is fixed.
Contractor’s role under scrutiny
The Minister also noted that the role of the contractor responsible for transporting ghee to Sabarimala is under active investigation. The Pathanamthitta dairy had awarded a contract to a company to supply ghee to Sabarimala at a rate of ₹18 per 15-litre tin. The same firm had also been granted a wholesale dealership to distribute Milma products at Sabarimala and in surrounding areas.
Among the allegations being examined are reports that ghee dispatched from the Pathanamthitta dairy was diverted and replaced with lower-quality ghee procured from Tamil Nadu before being packed in Milma-labelled tins. These claims form a significant part of the ongoing inquiry, authorities said.
Quality checks at Pampa this year
Health and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan told the Assembly that the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) would introduce a mechanism to test ghee at Pampa before it is transported to the Sabarimala Sannidhanam this year. According to him, the Board has assured the government that the quality of the product will be verified at Pampa and that only ghee meeting the required standards will be taken to the shrine.
Next steps
With the VACB probe in progress and departmental proceedings nearing completion, the government has affirmed that financial recovery will be pursued from those identified as responsible for the loss. The quality assurance checks to be implemented at Pampa are expected to add an additional layer of oversight to prevent any recurrence of such irregularities.
The developments underscore the State’s push for accountability in procurement and supply chains linked to Sabarimala and the parallel emphasis on product quality before the ghee reaches the shrine.
