Will withdraw stir if milk purchase rate fixed around Rs 25 per litre: Shetti

Dairy farmers will continue to agitate, demanding hike in milk procurement prices until the Maharashtra government agrees, Swabhimani Paksha leader Raju Shetti, who is leading the protest said today.

The farmers have been holding protests in parts of the state since Monday, seeking a hike of Rs 5 per litre in the procurement prices.

"I am ready to withdraw the agitation if the milk purchase rate is fixed around Rs 25 per litre," Shetti told reporters here.

The Lok Sabha member also said that his discussion with state Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan last night failed to resolve the issue.

Sources in the government had earlier said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked Mahajan to meet Shetti in a bid to end the agitation.

"Mahajan is still in Mumbai and we may meet again. I am ready if the state government mandates dairies to increase the purchase price of milk, I have no issues. But till then my agitation will continue," Shetti said.

He further said: "A milk powder maker has enquired with me and is willing to purchase one lakh litres of milk daily at Rs 25 per litre. If he is ready to do the business then why the state is not keen on promoting such businessmen."