Milk producers of Tripura are facing multiple problems owing to lack of free of cost ‘cow semen’ and cow fodder. The milk producers are facing hurdles in selling their milk as rural cooperatives have almost ruined. In this backdrop, ‘Gomati’ is now supplying milk that uses less of cow milk and more of the powder milk of low quality, alleged veteran CPM leader Prabitra Kar and blamed the ruling BJP government for the emerging situation in the Milk Sector in Tripura.
Led by Kar, members of the Milk Producers’ Samiti of Tripura held a demonstration in front of the Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD) in Agartala on Wednesday (July 27). Later a delegation would submit a deputation in support of the 7-point demand list to the ARDD director, said Pabitra Kar.
“Several initiatives were taken by the previous Left Front government for the welfare of the milk producers of the State. For artificial insemination of cows, the LF government started free of supply semen.
However, at present, private organizations of other States are conducting artificial insemination and charging anything between Rs 500-Rs 1000 per insemination”, alleged Pabitra Kar and added this has increased the cost of milk production.
Citing another crucial factor, Kar alleged imposition of GST on packed milk products and milking machines etc would further pushup the production cost.
Pabitra Kar continued and said, “During the LF regime, Milk producers would sell milk to the cooperatives which were created by the then government and ‘Gomati’ would procure milk from these cooperatives.
With most of the cooperatives have become non-functional, ‘Gomati’ is procuring milk powder – cheap and low quality – from the market and supplying milk to the people”.
To reverse the trend, he said, the Milk Producers Samiti under the All India Krishak Sabha is holding a demonstration in support of 7-point demand including withdrawal of GSt from Milk products and machines, providing green fodder, provision of 200 mandays works for the milk producers under REGA so that the milk producers can manage the increased cost of production.
