Milk Vita now den of graft

Bangladesh Milk Producers' Co-operative Union Limited (BMPCUL), manufacturer of Milk Vita dairy products, has been turned into a den of corruption, a parliamentary body observed yesterday.
From production and distribution of milk to appointment of employees -- corrupt practices are everywhere, said members of the parliamentary standing committee on LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry at a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
They also blamed the ministry's inefficiency for the unbridled corruption in the company.
"Three syndicates of officials and employees are controlling the organisation. There is no discipline in it," Rahmat Ali, chief of the JS body, told newsmen after the meeting.
The ministry has formed a three-member committee to break the syndicates. A sub-committee will also be formed to investigate the corruption allegations, he noted.
The BPMCUL authorities, said Rahmat, have appointed a huge number of employees. "We have asked them to sack the unnecessary workforce from the organisation."
The parliamentary body expressed its dissatisfaction at the prevailing situation at the BPMCUL. They also castigated the company for hiking the prices of Milk Vita liquid milk ahead of Ramadan.
"Under the patronisation of the government, some syndicates are active there," committee member and BNP lawmaker Abul Khaiyer Bhuiyan told reporters.
Officials of BPMCUL, however, defended their decision to raise the prices of liquid milk. They assured the committee of supplying adequate milk during Ramadan.