PANAJI
Members of the Goa Milk Union have demanded that the state government hand over the management of Goa Dairy to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), citing mismanagement and financial losses.
At a press conference in Panaji, dairy farmers Shivananand Bakre, Yogesh Govekar and Anant Malik said Goa Dairy’s functioning had deteriorated to a point where many producers had shifted supplies to SUMUL Dairy.
“If Goa Dairy is to be salvaged, it must be run by NDDB for five years,” Malik said even as he pointed out that NDDB has successfully revived several dairies across the country.
The dairy farmers also demanded that the government act on court orders directing disqualified directors of Goa Dairy to compensate for the financial losses.
“There is no clarity on the status of these court orders. The inquiry must be completed and recovery initiated,” Govekar said and warned that unless accountability is enforced, proxy directors could return and perpetuate the corruption.
Bakre welcomed the State’s recent hike in procurement rates -- Rs 6 per litre for cow milk and Rs 10 for buffalo milk -- and the increase in subsidy limits for cattle purchase from Rs 70,000 to Rs 90,000.
“We thank Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for these steps,” he said.
Malik noted that SUMUL had promised farmers better rates during elections and implemented them after its new chairman took charge in April.
“Goa Dairy, once the pride of Goans, has been reduced to losses and confusion. Farmers want a clean break and professional management,” he said.
The demand for NDDB takeover reflects frustration among milk producers who say repeated attempts to reform Goa Dairy have failed. With elections approaching, the issue could become a flashpoint in rural constituencies.
