PONDA
The Goa State Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd (Goa Dairy) on Wednesday resolved to challenge the State government’s decision to permit Surat District Milk Federation (SUMUL) to set up its unit in Goa, even as the management came under severe fire from many heads of dairy societies.
The stormy general body meeting of Goa Dairy at Curti-Ponda witnessed heated arguments, as an estimated 120-odd society heads raised issues of transparency in administration at Goa Dairy.
Security guards restrained media persons from entering the Goa Dairy premises, but dairy farmers who came out after the meeting claimed that some had lifted mineral water
DO all members support GOA DAIRY?
While Goa Dairy may be ready for a legal battle with the State government, it may find some difficulty in seeking the support of many of its member societies.
The general body meeting of Goa Dairy at Curti-Ponda exposed the divide as not all heads of dairy societies were satisfied with Goa Dairy. Some have even threatened to support SUMUL if Goa Dairy did not mend its ways.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Raia Dairy Society Chairman Durgesh Shirodkar alleged Continued from P1
that Goa Dairy’s business has not been transparent.
“We will welcome SUMUL, if Goa Dairy doesn’t bring about transparency in its business. The rates given to farmers are very less, but they spend a lot on unnecessary recruitments.” he said. Shirodkar claimed that media persons were deliberately restrained by the management, only to change the minutes and resolution passed in the meeting. “They will definitely change the resolutions,” he alleged. According to Vikas Prabhu, chairman of Gannanth Dudh Saunstha at Nirankal, Goa Dairy has appointed 71 staff, at the behest of a minister and directors. “The daughter of a former assistant registrar was also appointed in Goa Dairy,” he further alleged. “We have an attachment with Goa Dairy, but that does not mean that we will tolerate mismanagement which affects the dairy farmers,” said Prabhu. Orlim Dudh Society Chairman Anselmo Furtado opined that SUMUL rates offered to farmers were far better then those offered by Goa Dairy.
