PONDA: After launching agitation against mismanagement in purchases last year, the Goa Dairy Farmers have decided to stage dharna again for their long pending demands including hike in purchase price of cow milk and other issues.
Goa Dairy Farmers’ Anup Desai, chairman of Gosamardhan Sahakari Dudh Vyavsaik Saunstha, Priol and Sanjiv Kuncolienkar, resident of Cuncoliem-Mardol had issued a notice to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Goa Dairy warning to stage protest and fast unto death along with their livestock in Goa Dairy premises from July 9, till their pending demands, affecting their livelihood, are solved by Goa Dairy.
Addressing media persons regarding fast unto death notice, Desai and Kuncolienkar said the farmers want the cow milk purchase price should be hiked by at least Rs 5 per litre (for standard milk of 3.5 fat and 8.5 litre CLR).
They also demanded removal of tainted Managing Director Navso Sawant from office, who was suspended earlier for mismanagement. Despite of this, he was given an extension.
“The price difference for the year 2018-19 should be paid to the farmers and mechanism to deal with frequent short supplies and quality issues of essential feeds, fodders, roughages, nutrients, medicines etc are to be developed and responsibilities and accountabilities are to be fixed,” they stated.
“The bonus and dividend payments to the societies (SDVS) should be reintroduced to improve their financial condition.”
Desai said any untoward situation arise out of agitation will be solely responsibility of Goa Dairy.
He said, “The farmers are distressed that the issues related to survival of dairy farmers’ livelihood in Goa are continuously ignored by management even after repeated protests.”
