NT Reporter
Ponda
Alleging continued delay in implementing revised milk procurement rates, around 50 dairy farmers gathered outside the Goa Dairy premises, on Monday, and launched an indefinite agitation, accusing the state government of failing to honour assurances made over a month ago.
The protesting milk producers alleged that despite Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assuring a delegation of dairy farmers during a meeting at the Secretariat that procurement prices would be revised, the promised increase is yet to be reflected in payments made to farmers.
The demand for higher procurement rates has been a long-pending issue. Dairy farmers had earlier staged protests at the Goa Dairy gates and submitted several representations seeking release of pending government support price payments and revision of procurement rates in view of rising cattle feed and maintenance costs.
While the state government later announced a hike of Rs 1 per litre for cow milk and Rs 2 per litre for buffalo milk, farmers claimed that nearly two months have passed without the revised rates being implemented. According to them, the Chief Minister had assured a revised hike of Rs 6 per litre for cow milk and 10 per litre for buffalo milk.
A delegation of milk producers recently met Goa Dairy officials seeking clarity on the matter and demanding immediate implementation of the announced hike. However, the farmers alleged that they did not receive any satisfactory response from the authorities.
“Nobody was willing to address the concerns of the farmers. The Managing Director appeared confused over the issue, while government-appointed Administrative Committee member Rama Parab seemed least bothered about resolving it. The other two members were absent,” alleged milk producer Sanjeev Kulkarni.
Later in the evening, the farmers held a meeting with office-bearers of Goa Dairy.
Another meeting has been scheduled for June 9 to decide the future course of action. The farmers have demanded immediate government intervention, stating that any further delay would add to the hardships faced by milk producers across the state.
