the goan I network
PONDA
Coming down heavily on Goa Dairy MD Dr Navasu Sawant and the Board of Directors (BoD), the Satyashodhak Samiti, a body constituted at the AGM of Goa Dairy, has demanded the dissolution of BoD and appointment of an administrator to probe allegations of irregularities at Goa Dairy.
Around 220 farmers across Goa gathered outside Goa Dairy in the last week of April to demand a rollback on the hike of Rs 2.50 on cattle fodder by May 1, failing which they had threatened to take the law into their own hands.
On Saturday, the aggrieved dairy farmers served a fresh 10-day ultimatum to withdraw the hike in cattle fodder rates and to pay the support price, failing which they would resort to an agitation.
“Eight directors protected MD Dr Sawant when he was suspended by former Chairman Madhav Sahakari and hence, there is a need to dissolve the BoD. An administrator must be appointed to bring order in Goa Dairy,” said Satyashodhak Samiti President Dattaprasad Sawardekar.
“Dr Sawant was suspended but newly-appointed Chairman Rajesh Fal Desai revoked the suspension order. The chairman should explain why the order was revoked in a hurried manner,” he said.
Sawardekar alleged that Goa Dairy had recently sent 61,000 litres of excess milk to a neighbouring state to make milk powder, but claimed that the processed milk powder and butter had not been sent back. “I have heard that a small quantity of milk powder is being sent, but we have no idea about the remaining milk powder and butter. This is another scam and hence we need an administrator to probe these matters,” he said.
“Goa Dairy failed to provide the support price of last year and also did not reduce the fodder prices. If such things continue, Goa Dairy will collapse. Hence, we request the State government to intervene and take steps to save Goa Dairy,” he added.
