The controversies surrounding Aavin seem to be unending. Right from discontinuing green cover milk to cut costs to charging more for lesser fat content milk to finding worms in the milk to employing minors at Aavin factories to safety issues in Aavin plants where a woman met with an accident and died to regularly increasing the prices of Aavin products, there seems to be no end to the issues at Aavin.
This time around, there is yet another controversy related to adulteration.
Ponnusamy, president of the Aavin Milk Agents’ Welfare Association, has raised serious concerns about the integrity of milk management, following recent events in Madurai district. He warns that efforts to cover up adulteration in bulk milk cooling centers could destabilize the management of the Aaivn milk supply chain.
According to Ponnusamy, the Madurai district procured 4,000 liters of milk daily from the Usilampatti area, which was then transported to the Koppampatti cooling center. However, during the transportation of this milk to Madurai, it was reportedly mixed with water, leading to adulteration.
On 13 March 2024, the Dairy Development and Extension Officer conducted an investigation that uncovered this malpractice. In response, the Koppampatti Bulk Milk Cooling Station was temporarily shut down, and the permit for the contract vehicle involved was revoked. However, no action was taken against the officials responsible for the adulteration. Instead, the officer who exposed the irregularity was transferred to Usilampatti. Despite the initial closure, the Koppampatti cooling center has been permitted to resume operations, further fueling controversy.
A video released by the officer who uncovered the malpractice has since gone viral, sparking widespread concern. Ponnusamy highlighted that similar malpractices are occurring across the state, with milk bulk chilling centers controlled by brokers engaging in adulteration without consequence.
Despite complaints being lodged with the DMK Milk Minister Mano Thangaraj and the Managing Director of Aavin, as well as reports being submitted to the Vigilance Division, no substantial action has been taken to address the issue.
Aavin Milk Agents’ Welfare Association president Ponnusamy urged the government to take immediate and appropriate action to ensure the integrity of the milk supply chain and prevent further destabilization of milk management.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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