The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) could be staring at shortage of raw material for cattle feed, as the model code of conduct has come in the way of floating new tenders.
Normally, the federation floats tenders seeking supply of raw material once in a month or sometimes twice a month after taking the approval of the board. However, since the scheduled board meeting on March 22 had to be cancelled after the code of conduct came into force, no fresh tenders had been floated for the raw material, sources in the board told The Hindu . The stocks could last for another fortnight, sources said.
“Milk industry is not like any other industry where tenders can be postponed. Cattle feed has to be produced constantly and we do not stock the raw material for long duration. Fresh tenders have to be invited regularly,” sources said. Though these are fresh tenders, they are routine and not populist in nature, sources added.
Another fallout of the code of conduct is that the budget meeting also had to be cancelled, and that the Ugadi bonus for employees is yet to be announced, sources said, adding that most district milk unions have approached the office of the State Electoral Officer, seeking permission to hold the board meeting.
Meanwhile, a senior official in the office of the State Electoral Officer confirmed that all the meetings involving non-officials (elected representatives), including the board meetings, have been cancelled due to the model code. “Individual cases for exemption for drought relief or cattle feed has to be approved by the EC,” the official said.
