The managing director of Amul Federation RS Sodhi has been removed by the board with immediate effects. He has been replaced for an interim period by Jayan Mehta, Amul's incumbent chief operating officer.

Sodhi, who led the dairy giant since 2010, stepped down on January 9. The decision to replace the now-former MD was taken at the board meeting of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the farmers' cooperative that operates the Amul brand.

"As per resolution no.2 of the board meeting, it was proposed to end your service as the federation's MD with immediate effect. Thus, you are hereby directed to relinquish your charge as MD with immediate effect and hand it over to federation COO, Jayenbhai Mehta," said the board to Sodhi, according to the news agency PTI. 

Responding to the communication, which was signed by the federation's chairman Shamalbhai Patel and vice chairman Valamjibhai Humbal, RS Sodhi said he was "very happy.”

"My term as MD ended two years back and I was on an extension. I had requested the board to relieve me from this responsibility. The board had told me to wait for some time saying they will relieve me once they find a suitable replacement" said Sodhi, refuting that he has been terminated.

"When I again requested the GCMMF board to relieve me, they finally accepted my request and relieved me today. It was my own decision to step down and I am very happy today," added the now-former MD of Amul. 

Sodhi’s successor Jayen Mehta has been working with Amul for the past 32 years. Currently, he is the federation's CEO and had earlier served as its brand manager, group product manager, and general manager in the marketing function.