Team Herald
PONDA: Finally, the agitation led by the Goa Dairy (GD) Farmers since the middle of January came to an end on Thursday, following their meeting with Chief Minister (CM) Pramod Sawant. The CM assured GD that he would take a decision in eight days time regarding their demand for the immediate rollback in cattle feed prices.
At the meeting, GD administrator explained that the prices had been hiked by Rs 4 on account of the rise in raw material and production costs. However, the farmers claimed that the raw material prices had come down and that they were suffering heavily since the increase.
Speaking to the media, the CM said that presently there is an administrator as there is no GD Board and thus it has become the responsibility of the government.
He added that as per the information available with him, if the cattle feed prices are reduced, then the GD plant suffer further losses. However, he said that they will study the issue and verify if raw material prices had really come down as claimed by the farmers.
Speaking to the media, former GD chairman Anup Desai and other farmers stated that they had temporarily called off the strike based on the CM’s assurance.
“The discussion was positive and we have hope that the Chief Minister will find a solution regarding our demands. The CM has also directed the Goa Dairy Administrator to temporarily maintain a stay on the cattle feed price hike, till he takes a decision on the issue,” said Desai.
Desai confirmed that the farmers had asked the government for grants to pull GD out of it present financial crisis. “
“We also suggested to the CM, measures on how to control the cost and expenditure so that the cattle feed plant becomes profitable,” Desai added.
Desai said the farmers had appealed to the administrator to convene a Special General Body meeting where the financial aspects affecting GD can be discussed.
