Kerala's Co‑operative Milk Marketing Federation (Milma) has categorically denied any lapses in its ghee supply to the Sabarimala temple. Chairman K.S. Mani highlighted stringent quality checks, full payment receipt, and welcomed the probe into the allegations.

Key Takeaways

  • Milma dispatched premium‑quality ghee in sealed 15 kg tins
  • Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) lodged no quality complaint
  • Full payment received; investigation welcomed

Milma’s Official Statement on Ghee Supply

The Kerala Co‑operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Milma) clarified on Monday that the ghee supplied to Sabarimala temple met all quality standards. Chairman K.S. Mani stated, “Genuine, premium‑quality ghee was dispatched from Milma to Sabarimala, packed in sealed 15 kg tins, making in‑transit alteration or tampering impossible.”

Payment and Complaint Status

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) made full payment for the supplies and has not lodged any official complaint regarding the quality of the ghee. Milma noted that once the sealed consignments were received at the TDB godown, any further handling was beyond its control.

Welcoming the Investigation

Mani welcomed the probe, warning that if the supplied ghee were replaced with a sub‑standard product after delivery, it would constitute a serious offence. “If proven, it would attract stringent legal penalties,” he added.

Historical Background

Ghee has been an essential offering in Sabarimala’s rituals for centuries. The temple receives ghee both through devotees’ donations and official supplies, making stringent quality control crucial to maintain religious sanctity.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that any compromise in the supply chain of sacred items like ghee can erode public trust in both religious institutions and state‑run cooperatives, potentially affecting future donations and cooperative revenues.

“Religious institutions must ensure absolute transparency in their procurement processes to preserve devotees’ confidence,” says religious studies expert Prof. Ajay Sharma.
Did You Know?: Approximately 150 tons of ghee are used annually at Sabarimala, most of which comes from devotees’ donations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Has Milma issued an official response to the allegations?
Answer: Yes, Milma confirmed that all supplies were dispatched under strict quality controls and no complaints were received.

Question 2: Is the TDB planning to stop using Milma’s ghee?
Answer: No, the board indicated that donor‑provided ghee is sufficient but has not announced a complete cessation of Milma’s supply.