Amidst a surprising turn of events in Tamil Nadu, the state Milk Dealers Association has declared a shift away from reliance on Aavin, stating, “If Amul comes, we will welcome it!”.
This statement comes in stark contrast to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s letter to the Central government opposing Amul’s arrival from Gujarat.
S A Ponnusamy, the president of the Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers Welfare Association, emphasized Amul’s prominence as the leading cooperative milk company in India, particularly its significant presence in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu. He refuted media reports suggesting the establishment of a dairy farm by Amul in Krishnagiri district.
Highlighting Amul’s longstanding presence in neighboring states and its diverse product range, including milk powder and ice cream, Ponnusamy also mentioned the marketing of curd packets sourced from a farm in Balamaneri, Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, in bordering districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The association expressed readiness to embrace Amul’s potential establishment of a dairy farm in Tamil Nadu and its involvement in the milk business, citing past disillusionment with Aavin’s ability to safeguard the interests of milk producers and dealers.
In response to Chief Minister MK Stalin’s protest letter against Amul’s visit, the association criticized milk and dairy sector officials, including current ministers, of exploiting the milk industry without addressing their issues. Ponnusamy pointed out that they stood with the Tamil Nadu government in the past and opposed the entry of other cooperatives like Amul and Nandini in order to protect Aavin in the hope that Aavin would protect their livelihoods in return. Consequently, the Tamil Nadu Milk Agents Workers Welfare Association has lost faith in Aavin and the Tamil Nadu government, viewing their actions as merely superficial. In light of this, the association invites cooperative milk companies like Amul and Nandini to step forward and ensure equitable income for milk agents engaged in service-oriented milk distribution across Tamil Nadu.
“The Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers Workers Welfare Association has come to the conclusion that it is no longer working for them to trust Aavin and the Tamil Nadu government as they are giving importance only to empty advertisements.”, Ponnusamy said in his statement.
The Association has asked for uninterrupted access to quality milk products for the public and fair purchase prices for milk supplied by producers, without any outstanding dues.
In a bid to ensure fair treatment for milk agents and producers, the association extended a warm invitation to cooperative milk companies like Amul and Nandini, advocating for equitable income and uninterrupted supply of quality milk products across Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Dairy Development Department refuted claims of Amul planning to compete with Aavin, stating that Amul has not yet established a dairy farm or commenced milk sales in Tamil Nadu.
“இனி ஆவினையும், அரசையும் நம்பி பலனில்லை; அமுல் வந்தால் வரவேற்போம்!" – பால் முகவர்கள் சங்கம் அதிரடிhttps://t.co/j2jLAXvT8L
— @JuniorVikatan (@JuniorVikatan) May 9, 2024
(With Inputs From Vikatan)
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