Even as the indefinite strike by milk producers entered the second day on Tuesday, milk procurement by Primary Milk Cooperative Societies (PMCs) under the Dharmapuri District Milk Cooperative Union increased, a top official said.
The official told The Hindu that the Union maintained normal supply of milk in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts on Tuesday. About 23,160 litres of milk was supplied to consumers through various channels in the districts on Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, the quantum of milk procured from increased to 14,112 litres from 129 PMCs on Tuesday as against 5,113 litres from 61 PMCs in two districts on Monday.
He hoped that the strike will not affect local supply. However, the Union could not send milk to the State Milk Marketing Federation in Chennai.
District Collector V. Arun Roy visited two PMCs at Baleguli and Poojaripatti near Krishnagiri on Tuesday morning and verified the register.
Officials from Chennai-based Milk and Milk Products Order (MMPO), a separate entity which issues licenses for milk production and monitors quality, were pressed into service in these districts to prevent milk producers joining hands with private operators. A team of MMPO officials were sent to all districts across the State, sources told The Hindu on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam vice president K.M. Ramagoundar, after attending a State-level meeting of milk producers told The Hindu that the Sangam has asked all PMC employees to go on leave from Wednesday. The proposed road blockade by the Sangam has been postponed to Thursday on the Krishnagiri-Salem National Highway in Sappanipatti near Kaveripattinam, he added.
