Surat: With the term of the Surat-Tapi District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd (Sumul Dairy) board ending on August 9, the Registrar of Co-Operative Societies has appointed H.R. Patel as custodian to oversee the cooperative. Notably, this is the first time in its 75-year history that a custodian has been appointed at the dairy. The dairy handles an estimated 14 lakh litres of milk daily and serves over 2.5 lakh dairy farmers across 1,200 societies.

The 2020–2025 board’s tenure officially concluded on August 9. Delays in sending the election proposal to the collector prompted the government to intervene. Patel, Joint Registrar (Inspection), has taken charge as custodian of the Surat-Tapi District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, overseeing the dairy’s management and ensuring smooth operations in the rural economy. DeshGujarat