SALEM: The Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association declared that its planned milk supply strike will start on Aug 24 as scheduled as it is disappointed with the “meagre” hike in the procurement price announced in the assembly by chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday.
“The govt has raised procurement prices only by Rs 3 and announced an incentive of Rs 3, taking the rate from Rs 35 to Rs 41. The govt claims that this hike will cost Rs 55 crore to the exchequer every month.
This is nothing but misuse of taxpayers’ money,” he said. Periannan said private dairies were offering higher rates, with many producers shifting away from state-run Aavin. This is not sufficient. The govt is willing to spend lavishly on cars for legislators. He warned that if the govt failed to act, the cooperative could collapse altogether.
Association Salem district president K Periannan told reporters that farmers had expected a substantial hike but were left disappointed after the announcement in the assembly.