PONDA: Goa Dairy Farmers, who were on indefinite hunger strike for their six demands, including a roll back of Rs 2.50 hike in cattle feed rates, withdrew their agitation today evening at 4 pm after Goa Dairy Chairman shown readiness call an urgent Board Meeting on June 9, at 11 am with a written assurance to farmers to roll back the hike in cattle feed rates.
The Goa Dairy Chairman reached at the decision after efforts and talks by Congress leaders and MLAs Ravi Naik, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Party President Girish Chodankar.
The farmers temporarily withdrew their agitation until the Board Meeting on issue. The farmers warned if their demands are not met they would continue the agitation.
The Congress leaders came and spent four hours at the Goa Dairy discussing with farmers on their grievances and six demands and later held separate talks with Goa Dairy Chairman Rajesh Faldesai and MD Navso Sawanth.
Chairman Rajesh Faldesai said he needed one month to find a solution. However, Congress leader Ravi Naik said that since farmers are important contributors to Goa Dairy they should not be forced to hold an agitation in the rain.
Reginaldo said few farmers are left now in this business and they should not be discouraged by ignoring their demands. He said since Goa Dairy hiked prices when they were facing losses it is now the duty of Goa Dairy to reduce rates when the cattle feed plant is now earning profit
Farmers’ leader Durgadas Savordekar blamed MD of Goa Dairy for the losses they are suffering due to mismanagement.
Farmers Vikas Prabu and Rajesh Naik brought to the notice of Congress leaders that cattle feed produced in Goa Dairy Plant is of poor quality and also poorly managed.
Congress President Girish Chodankar said that since Goa is without Chief Minister who is undergoing treatment at America, Congress and its MLAs are looking into problems of people and farmers.
