Unhappy over subsidies pending for four months, dairy farmers from Sattari taluka have threatened to launch an agitation if the government fails to release subsidies at the earliest.
The dairy farmers supply milk to various dairy cooperatives and are entitled to receive a subsidy under the government's scheme.
However, aggrieved farmers said they have not received the subsidies for the past four months, causing them financial hardship. They added that despite repeated requests, the government has failed to release the subsidies.
Voicing their frustration and disappointment over the non-payment of subsidies, the farmers said it is difficult for them to sustain their livelihood without the support of the government. They have demanded that the government takes immediate action to release the pending subsidies and ensure that dairy farmers are able to continue their livelihood without any difficulties. The dairy farmers have also warned that if the subsidies are not released immediately, they will be compelled to launch an agitation.
Incidentally, dairy farmers from Bicholim taluka are also aggrieved over pending subsidies and have also threatened to agitate in the matter.
The dairy farmers in Sattari are likely to join hands with their counterparts in Bicholim in the agitation, if the issue is not resolved soon.
Dairy farmers in Bicholim taluka claimed they have not received subsidies for the past eight months.
While demanding that the government also increase the milk procurement price and provide a subsidy to support their livelihood, dairy farmers in Bicholim taluka have also requested the government to provide relief measures to help them cope with the rising costs of production.
