Pvt milk agents to go on strike in NCR

After the recent rise in milk prices by Amul and Quality Dairy in the National Capital Region (NCR), consumers in the capital are in for another shock, as private milk agents have decided to go for an indefinite strike from next week.

However, the strike is not expected to lead to much disruption in supplies or a shortage of the commodity, as almost 70-80 per cent of the six million litres of daily milk consumption in the NCR is met by the Mother Dairy and Amul. Both source their daily milk requirement directly from farmers, and are not dependent on private aggregators.

An official said the agents or resellers are protesting against the sudden and sharp drop of milk sold by them because of poor demand from private dairies.

"These agents typically purchase milk from small farmers and sell it to private dairies in the NCR region. However, there has been a drastic fall in demand from private dairies this year during the peak flush season for milk, which runs from October to March," the official said. He added to protest against diaries, the agents had formed a loose association and are demanding compensation from the government. Mother Dairy and Amul have decided to step in to compensate any shortfall in supply because of the agitation. These might increase their supplies from the next week. "We will take all necessary steps to ensure there is no hardship to any milk consumer in the NCR region," said a Mother Dairy spokesman.