PONDA: PWD Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said that many farmers and milk societies depend on Goa Dairy for their survival and therefore the dairy’s survival is of utmost importance. He said the MGP will appoint a special committee of experts to study and look into the problems Goa Dairy and its farmers will face if SUMUL is allowed to enter into Goa.
Speaking to Herald, Dhavalikar said, the committee members will undertake the study and submit a report within 15 days and if there are any adverse effects on farmers and Goa Dairy, the party will ask the State government to rethink on allowing SUMUL to start operations in Goa. He said the interest of thousands of farmers should be protected along with allowing the smooth functioning of Goa Dairy.
The MGP MLA and General Secretary has already said a new competitor would affect Goa Dairy and may have an adverse effect on farmers and on the functioning of Goa Dairy. He said Goa Dairy would get no milk in case SUMUL starts procuring milk from farmers Goa Dairy depends on.
Meanwhile, Goa Dairy MD Navso Sawanth said that in the last 20 years Goa Dairy has not suffered any losses and was in profit in the past two decades. He said that Animal Husbandry Minister Ramesh Tawadkar has called the Goa Dairy officials to discuss the issue next week and hoped that it would bring a satisfactory outcome.
