Uttar Pradesh Orders ₹100 Crore Probe Into Parag Dairy
Dairy Commissioner Dhanlakshmi K. has instructed the managing director of the Pradeshik Cooperative Dairy Federation (PCDF) in Lucknow to conduct a preliminary investigation into the Gagol-based Parag Dairy facility. The review contains 12 specified checkpoints and concerns alleged irregularities in government grants intended for cooperative infrastructure and processing development.
The inquiry follows a petition filed by representatives of the Milk Producers Cooperative Society. The complaint names five people, including Parag Milk Union chairman Rajni Devi, general manager Avinash Satyarthi, regional dairy development officer Natthu Singh and two relatives of the union chair. It alleges that grant money was diverted through falsified logistics records, fictitious supply arrangements and payments to contractors.
Investigators are examining reported milk movements between the Gagol plant and markets in Baghpat, Delhi and Hapur. According to the complaint, cooperative funds were used for freight and vehicle-rental bills linked to vehicles that did not exist. The allegations also cover procurement documents attributed to inactive primary societies, which purportedly recorded synthetic milk supplies.
The complaint further alleges that payroll payments were made to so-called ghost workers who did not work at the processing plant. The commissioner’s order comes as farmers and primary dairy societies in the surrounding milk-supply areas report that producer payments have been outstanding for four consecutive months.
Uttar Pradesh authorities have directed the federation to begin proceedings under Sections 65 and 68 of the Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Societies Act, 1965. The provisions cited in the order allow the state to carry out formal audits, determine personal responsibility and seek recovery of assets where officials are found to have diverted cooperative property or failed in their fiduciary duties.
The investigation concerns the operation of a state-supported cooperative dairy facility and the handling of public grants, milk procurement and producer payments. Its findings will determine whether the allegations against the named officials and other personnel are substantiated.
