Forms sent to 4,199 milk societies to nominate one voter each for cooperative polls

Kolhapur: The cooperative election authority for Kolhapur Zilla Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh, popularly known as Gokul Dairy, has sent forms to 4,199 primary milk societies in the district to nominate one representative from each society to vote in the upcoming election.

This number is lower than the earlier electoral roll of 5,470 societies, which was challenged after objections were raised about the eligibility of several societies, alleging they were registered unlawfully. The Bombay high court’s Kolhapur bench directed the cooperative election authority to scrutinise the questioned societies through a due-hearing process within 80 days.

“As per the schedule declared to prepare the electoral roll, we have sent prescribed formats to the eligible 4,198 societies, which the societies have to fill in, with a majority decision, naming the person who will vote on their behalf,” a senior official associated with the process said.

Officials said 968 milk societies have been liquidated so far. “The reasons for liquidation are different, some were affiliated three months after registration, and some had no records of supplying milk to the dairy,” the official added.