Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has issued a notice to former chairman of Mehsana-based Doodhsagar Dairy, Vipul Chaudhary, for recovery of over Rs 40 crore which the dairy lost due to his alleged corrupt practises.

The notice was issued two days ago by the state registrar of cooperative societies Nalin Upadhyay.

“We have issued him the notice for the recovery of Rs 41.83 crore which the dairy lost due to his corrupt practises.

We have asked him to personally appear at our office on June 27 with his response,” said Upadhyay today.

In 2014, Chaudhary was first sacked as the chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), owner of the Amul brand.

In March last year, he was sacked as the chairman of Doodhsagar dairy on the charge of irregularities. He was also banned from holding any position in a cooperative entity for three years.

According to Upadhyay, Chaudhary has been served notice on three grounds under section 93 of Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act.

“One is related to the supply of cattle feed worth Rs 22 crore to Maharashtra, second is about a sugar purchase and the third is about huge difference of stock in the dairy which came to light after an internal audit,” said Upadhyay.

In 2013, two members of the Doodhsagar Dairy had filed a petition in the High Court alleging that Chaudhary, as the chairman, donated Rs 22 crore worth of cattle feed to Maharashtra without approval of the board of directors.

Last year, registrar of co-operatives in Mehsana filed an FIR against Chaudhary for allegedly purchasing sugar for the dairy at a higher than the prevalent market rates, resulting in a loss of Rs 17 crore. Chaudhary is currently out on bail in both the cases. PTI