Kerala assembly: Govt to recover ₹75.5 lakh loss from Sabarimala ghee irregularities, says minister Bindhu Krishna

Minister for Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry Bindhu Krishna

The Kerala government will recover an estimated loss of Rs 75.5 lakh suffered by the Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union (TRCMPU) in connection with alleged irregularities in the supply of ghee to Sabarimala from those found responsible after receiving the final inquiry report, Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry Minister Bindhu Krishna told the Assembly on Friday.

Responding to questions during question hour, Ms. Krishna said that all files related to the alleged scam have been handed over to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).

According to her, a preliminary inquiry by the Dairy Development Department found that TRCMPU had supplied 1,55,010 liters of ghee to Sabarimala at ₹510 per litre, the wholesale price of ₹552.42 and the market price of ₹720 per litre, resulting in a substantial loss. The regional union was dissolved after a preliminary investigation found serious irregularities. Another departmental procedure was in the final stage, she added.

The role of the supplier under the lens

The minister also said that the role of the supplier responsible for transporting ghee to Sabarimala is also being investigated. Pathanamthitta Dairy awarded the contract to the company to supply ghee to Sabarimala at ₹18 per 15-litre can. The firm has also acquired a wholesale agency for the distribution of Milma products in Sabarimala and surrounding areas.

Allegations that ghee sent from the Pathanamthitta dairy was also diverted and replaced with inferior ghee sourced from Tamil Nadu before being packed in Milma-marked cans were also the subject of an ongoing investigation.

Health and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan told the gathering that the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) will introduce a mechanism to test ghee in Pampa before transporting it to Sabarimala Sannidhanam this year. The board has assured the government that the quality of the product will be verified at Pampa and only ghee meeting the required standards will be taken to the sanctuary, he said.

Published – 16 Oct 2026 13:40 IST