Chandigarh-A quality controversy has erupted in Punjab after milk powder samples supplied by Verka, the state’s flagship dairy cooperative, were rejected by the Indian Army, exposing what Opposition MLA Pargat Singh has described as a serious erosion of institutional credibility under the Aam Aadmi Party administration.
Singh, a Congress MLA representing Jalandhar Cantonment, took to social media to condemn the development, calling it a direct reflection of corruption that has allegedly taken root within departments under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s direct charge. Verka, along with Markfed, falls squarely under the purview of the Punjab CM’s office.
The rejection of the Army samples is particularly significant given the high-quality benchmarks that defence procurement demands. Military supply contracts typically involve rigorous testing protocols, and a failure at that stage signals not a routine quality lapse but a systemic breakdown in production or testing standards, say cooperative sector observers.
“This is a serious blow to the credibility of Punjab’s own institutions and reflects rising corruption under the AAP government.”
— Pargat Singh, MLA, Jalandhar Cantonment
In his statement, Singh directly addressed CM Bhagwant Mann, urging him to “immediately clarify the issue, fix accountability, and take strict unequivocal that there must be “no compromise on quality” in either Verka or Markfed — two cooperatives that serve millions of farmers and consumers across the state.Army rejects Verka milk powder samples on quality grounds · Verka and Markfed fall under CM Bhagwant Mann’s direct administrative control · MLA Pargat Singh demands immediate clarification and accountability · Singh calls episode evidence of “rising corruption” under AAP · No official response yet from Verka, Markfed, or the Punjab government The AAP government, which swept to power in Punjab in 2022 on an anti-corruption mandate, has not issued a formal response to the allegations at the time of publication. Neither Verka nor Markfed has put out a statement addressing the Army rejection or the circumstances surrounding the failed samples.
Political observers note that the timing is sensitive: cooperative institutions like Verka have long been symbols of Punjab’s agrarian self-reliance. Any perception of declining standards in these bodies risks broader public trust, particularly among the farming communities whose livelihoods are intertwined with cooperative-sector performance. Singh’s intervention is expected to intensify Opposition pressure on the government in the coming days.