The Travancore Devaswom Board has turned to Milma for an emergency supply of ghee for Sabarimala after a vigilance probe into the alleged diversion and replacement of Milma ghee with substandard product. Of the 10,000 litres urgently sought by the board, 5,000 litres had been despatched by Thursday, according to the Times of India.
The arrangement follows clearance from the vigilance department and is expected to be formalised through an agreement between Milma and the board. Unlike the earlier supply process, Milma will transport the consignment to Pamba in its own vehicles, introducing direct control over the movement of the product to the pilgrimage centre.
Milma has also assured the board that the ghee will be handed over only after stringent quality checks, including food-safety inspections. The measures follow allegations that ghee intended for Sabarimala was diverted en route and replaced with a substandard product.
The board had earlier invited fresh tenders for the supply. Milma did not participate in that process, while the only bidder was a Tamil Nadu-based contractor allegedly linked to the earlier ghee supply irregularities. The board subsequently dropped the re-tender process. With no other bidders coming forward in the new tender, it approached Milma again for the emergency requirement.
The board has sought a total of 50,000 litres from Milma. However, it will decide whether to place further orders after assessing whether the ghee brought by devotees will be sufficient to meet the shrine’s requirements. Milma has quoted a price of Rs 660 per litre to the Devaswom Board.
The procurement decision places transport, inspection and handover controls at the centre of the board’s immediate response. The use of Milma’s own vehicles is intended to keep the consignment under the cooperative dairy’s supervision until it reaches Pamba, while the proposed quality checks are to precede handover to the board.
The vigilance investigation is continuing alongside the procurement process. Officials have arrested two people in connection with the alleged diversion of Milma ghee meant for Sabarimala and its replacement with substandard product. The board’s store superintendent, who is also suspected of involvement in the deal, remains absconding.
Vigilance officials believe that questioning the arrested accused could disclose the involvement of additional people. The board’s next decision on further Milma orders will depend on its assessment of the ghee brought by devotees and the shrine’s operational requirement.
