Thiruvananthapuram | Milma Chairman K S Mani on Monday denied allegations that the dairy cooperative had any role in the alleged irregularities related to the supply of ghee to the Sabarimala temple.
The state government recently ordered a probe after it was alleged that the ghee supplied by Milma to Sabarimala during the 2025-26 pilgrimage season was of inferior quality and that there were irregularities in the quantity supplied.
Speaking to reporters, Mani said neither Milma had committed any manipulation nor had the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) reported any quality issues with the ghee supplied by the cooperative.
The chairman said he was yet to see the Dairy Development Department's investigation report and was unaware of any findings suggesting manipulation or wrongdoing by Milma.
"I suspect whether there was any malicious intent at certain official levels," he said.
Mani said Milma had supplied ghee to Sabarimala in several batches and no complaint had been received from the TDB regarding the quality of any consignment.
"If the quality of even one consignment had been poor, the TDB should have informed either our Thiruvananthapuram Union or our Pathanamthitta Dairy. As far as I know, no such communication was received," he said.
Questioning why Milma was being blamed, Mani said if the ghee used at Sannidhanam had been found to be of inferior quality, the Devaswom authorities should have informed the cooperative immediately.
"If the ghee used at Sannidhanam was of very low quality, wasn't it the responsibility of the Devaswom Board to inform us if any of the batches supplied by us had quality issues? Why should the blame be placed on Milma? Our stand is that we did not supply any fake ghee," he said.
Mani said Milma would fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the matter, but added that the controversy had tarnished the cooperative's brand image and reputation.
