MK Stalin asks Amit Shah to direct Amul to stop procuring milk in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to direct Gujarat-based dairy giant Amul to stop procuring milk from the southern state with immediate effect. Writing a letter to Shah, Stalin drew the Centre’s attention to issues arising out of procurement of milk by the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (Amul) in the Tamil Nadu milk shed area. Stalin said that recently, it has come to the notice of the state government that Amul has used its multi-state cooperative license to set up a chilling center and processing plant in Krishnagiri district. Also, Amul plans to procure milk through FPOs and SHGs in and around Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupathur, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts in Tamil Nadu.

“It has been a norm in India to allow cooperatives to flourish without infringing on each other’s milk-shed area. Such cross-procurement is against the spirit of ‘Operation White Flood’ and will lead to loss of existing milk Given the scenario of shortage, this act of Amul violates the milk shed area of ​​Aavin (TN Co-operative Milk Producers Federation), which has been nurtured in true cooperative spirit for decades.

This move by Amul will lead to unhealthy competition among cooperatives engaged in procurement and marketing of milk and milk products. “Regional cooperatives have been the bedrock of dairy development in the states and they are in a better position to engage and nurture producers and protect consumers from arbitrary price hikes. Therefore, I urge Amul to stop procuring milk from dairy Request your immediate intervention.” The shed area of ​​Aavin in Tamil Nadu has been removed with immediate effect,” the chief minister said.

Providing the background of the matter, Stalin said that till now, Amul was selling its products only through its outlets in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, like other states with strong dairy cooperatives, a three-tier dairy cooperative system has been functioning effectively since 1981 for the benefit of rural milk producers and consumers, Stalin said.

“Aavin is our Apex Cooperative Marketing Federation. Under the ambit of Aavin Cooperative, 9,673 Milk Producers Cooperative Societies are working in rural areas. They buy 35 LLPD milk from around 4.5 lakh members. Remunerative and equitable prices are assured throughout the year by the societies.”

To increase and maintain milk production in Tamil Nadu, Aavin also provides various inputs like animal feed, fodder, mineral mixture, animal health care and breeding services to the animals of milk producers. In addition, it ensures supply of quality milk and milk products to the consumers at the lowest prices in our country. Thus, Aavin plays a vital role in improving the livelihood of rural milk producers and meeting the nutritional needs of consumers.