PANJIM: Allaying fears that SUMUL’s entry will destroy Goa Dairy, the BJP has clarified that the State government’s intention in introducing the Surat District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd (SUMUL) is to encourage competition among milk producing units in the State.
“Government will not provide land or financial support or assistance in any other form to SUMUL. Its existence in Goa will create a sense of competition among milk producers. There is no intention to kill the existing units,” BJP (Goa) Vice President Dr Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday.
The party leader was reacting to criticism from some opposition leaders who suspected that the government ‘wants to finish’ Goa Dairy. Sawant further clarified that Goa Dairy, being a cooperative society, is not under government control, whereas SUMUL will directly be under the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services.
He also spelt out an instance wherein Goa Dairy sold milk in neighbouring states at a higher cost and created a shortage for locals. “They exported milk packets outside at Rs 24 per packet although the government is giving them subsidy of Rs nine per litre for the same milk. If the government is thinking of another dairy it’s because of all this,” he added.
BJP also pointed out to an increase in production whenever its government has been in power. Goa Dairy production increased to 60,000 litres per day in 2001 when BJP was in power. The production drastically reduced to 35,000 litres per day in 2005 during the Congress regime, the party pointe out.
