The members of various societies affiliated to Goa Dairy along with other dairy farmers have gone on indefinite hunger strike demanding reduction in rate of cattle feed by Rs 2.5 per kilo and five other demands. However, Managing Director of Goa Dairy Dr. Navasu Sawant said that they are working on their demands as chairman needs time to study the issues.
Their other demands include improvement in quality of cattle feed and incentives of last year be given to farmers, while the Registrar of Cooperative Societies should reveal details of an investigation by the CA, install automatic machines to check adulteration in milk procuration and to credit pending rate difference(out of profit).
The members of this group were initially restrained from entering the Goa Dairy premises and police were summoned at the site. However, these members claiming that nobody can stop entering them as they are stakeholders entered the premises.
In the last week of April, around 220 farmers across Goa had gathered in front of Goa Dairy and had demanded a rollback of increased rate of Rs 2.50 per kilo on cattle fodder by May 1.
They had served an ultimatum to take law in their hands if the demand was not met and had served a second ultimatum some time later.
On Saturday, they announced their plan to go on an indefinite hunger strike from June 7.
Satyashodhak Samiti President Dattaprasad Sawardekar claimed that despite their requests, the Goa Dairy had not decrease the rate of cattle feed. This forced them to go on hunger strike.
They have also demanded that the Satyashodhak Samiti be given permission to investigate the losses faced by the cattle feed plant.
"This investigation remained incomplete after we were stopped from doing it. We should be given permission to complete this investigation,” Sawardekar said.
Sawardekar said that they will seat in the premises till they get written assurance from the Goa Dairy.
Sawardekar came down heavily on Goa Dairy for deploying heavy police force to restrain them.
Dattaprasad Sawaradekar (Sanvordem), Shivanand Bakre (Vitthalapur Karapur) , Vikas Prabhu(Nirankal), Pramod Siddhaye (Nanoda Bicholim) , Jyotibha Ghewade (Collem), Vaibhav Parab (Amthane-Bicholim) have gone on hunger strike. However they have hinted that more will join them.
"It is duty of police to maintain law and order. Hence police have come. We had just informed police about the issue. They can stage dharna outside the premises." Managing Director Dr. Navasu Sawant told The Goan.
"They should give time to chairman to study their demand. He has recently taken the chair. There are positive things happening in Goa Dairy. We need time to study the matter." He said.
"It cannot be done swiftly. BoD will have to take decision in the matter." he said.
"Nutritional committee is already constituted in 2014. The difference rate from April 1 to August 31, of total rupees 90 lakhs has been given. Our audit is going on. We will provide them of rest period no sooner it is done." He clarified.
