"If milk collection is not more than five lakh litre a

day despite such huge infrastructure, then the less said is better of milk cooperative business in Maharashtra," Pawar said. He said he was ready to lower tax on semen export for improving cattle breed. Similarly, Centre would give subsidy of Rs 10-15 per kg for preserving milk powder every year. He also expressed readiness to set up research and training centre for improving cattle breed. Pawar said in 1972 drought, as many as 45 lakh people were employed on EGS works but now even though drought this year is equally serious, only three lakh people are on EGS. "This is because milk cooperatives have emerged as a viable alternative to farming in drought areas. Need of the hour is to save this business," he added. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said state-owned dairies are suffering losses of Rs 180 to 200 crore. Milk cooperative business has not picked up in Vidarbha, North Maharashtra and Konkan. "If Amul can collect seven lakh litre in Maharashtra, why should Mahanand collect only 4 lakh?" he asked. Dairy Development Minister Madhukar Chavan demanded that the Centre give subsidy to export of milk powder. Earlier, Pawar inaugurated Mahanand's first ultra high temperature milk processing and aseptic plant in suburban Mumbai. The new unit will cater to the growing demand of high quality, safe and hygienic milk. The milk would be made available to consumers in 500 ml tetra aseptic packages at competitive price, said Vaishali Nagawade, the dairy chairman.