Milk man Kurien faces revolt in new job

Varghese Kurien, chairman and founder of the Institute of Rural Management (IRMA), faced a virtual revolt at the institute's board meeting on February 28, when a number of directors challenged the legality of his appointment.

Kurien is also the chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF).

The board meeting followed Kurien's attempt to move one of the directors K Prathap Reddy from his post, due to certain irregularities cited by Kurien.

Reddy, who was appointed as a director by Kurien himself, in turn cited an order issued by the assistant charity commissioner in Anand questioning Kurien's continuation as chairman beyond 1987, after the expiry of his first term of eight years.

Kurien had earlier given himself in a board meeting an "indefinite period", which is now being debated by both the IRMA board and the Gujarat government.

Some influential board members, including GCMMF's Managing-Director BM Vyas, have now sought legal recourse by appealing at the office of the joint charity commissioner in Vadodara, against the order of the assistant charity commissioner. The former had fixed April 26 as the date for the hearing of the case, which has now been preponed following a request from Kurien.

Assistant Charity Commissioner B Vaghela confirmed the filing of the case, adding a lot of petitions had been filed against Kurien's during his 25 years of service.

Asked to comment on whether his being chairman of IRMA was challenged by the members of the board of governors, Kurien said, "No one can challenge me as a chairman of IRMA. I am a lifetime chairman of IRMA and my term is unlimited".

In response to a query as to why a caveat was filed by him, Kurien stated, "I have taken this action as a precautionary measure and I have done nothing wrong in it."

Asked if the IRMA controversy is an outcome of his differences of opinion with NDDB chairperson Amrita Patel, who is also a member of the board of governors of IRMA, Kurien said, "Why should I have a difference of opinion with Patel. After all, I have nurtured her and I made her the chairperson of NDDB. I met the prime minister and urged him to appoint Patel NDDB chairperson, instead of an IAS officer taking charge of NDDB".

Kurien preferred not to comment on why he wanted to sack IRMA director K Prathap Reddy, saying that this was an IRMA board matter.Meanwhile, Reddy has sent a four-page explanation letter in response to Kurien's showcause notice on March 21. The February 28 board meeting also resolved to set up an "examination committee of three members" to look into the allegations against Reddy.

Reddy, however, told Business Standard, "I have already sent my explanation to the board. We have to wait for the committee's decision on the matter. Though it is too premature to comment on the issue at this moment, I am optimistic about a favourable decision."

Kurien's Executive Assistant PA Joseph said, "It is true Kurien was elected chairman of the IRMA for five years in 1979, which was extended to three more years. His first term of eight years ended in 1987. After this the IRMA board decided to offer him unlimited tenure as chairman.