Underplaying the impact of the week-long strike by milk producers in the State, Minister for Dairy Development U. Mathivaanan has said milk procurement and distribution has, by far, remained unaffected.
Addressing reporters on the sidelines of Samathuvapuram inspection here on Sunday, the Minister said about 10.50 lakh litres of milk a day was distributed in Chennai. The State capital continued to enjoy 100 per cent distribution so far, Mr. Mathivaanan said. Certain areas in the State faced hiccups in distribution, and due to the play of political forces that instigated the stand-off. According to the Minister, shortfall, if any, was negligible — to the extent of about 50,000 to 75,000 litres per day. The Tamil Nadu Milk Producers Welfare Association began its indefinite strike on February 6, calling for a hike in the procurement prices. The milk producers have sought a hike of Rs.8 per litre for buffalo's milk and Rs.5 per litre for cow's milk.
In January, the State Government had hiked the price of buffalo's milk by Rs.2.20 per litre, and cow's milk by Re.1.10 per litre.
