The debate on the fate of dairy farmers turned out to be one on consumer versus (milk) producers. The government finally announced that it would convene a meeting of all stake holders, experts and the Opposition to provide relief to dairy farmers.
When minister Eknath Khadse did not yield to Opposition demand that dairy farmers be given relief, Congress and NCP members protested and began raising slogans against the indifferent attitude of the government, leading to adjournment of the House. Many members including Sangram Thopte, Vijay Vadettiwar, Nirmala Gavit, Aslam Shaikh, Ganpatrao Gaikwad raised calling attention motion on the fate of dairy farmers.
NCP MLAs were aggressive as most of them are involved with cooperative milk societies and are themselves dairy farmers. Ajit Pawar and Dilip Walse-Patil pointed out that due to fall in price of milk powder in international market by almost 50% (from $4,600 to $2,300), farmers selling milk to societies were now getting only Rs 17 instead of the earlier Rs 27.
Pawar said government would have to provide relief to dairy farmers to prevent unrest in the sector. Walse-Patil demanded that these farmers be given Rs 3 subsidy and government buy excess milk paying minimum price.
Khadse pointed out that many societies bought milk from other states and hence providing them assistance was futile. He said when prices of petrol and diesel came down, milk producers never approached the government seeking reduction in milk price. He said the Opposition which was taking up the cause of farmers was not thinking of consumers. He asked whether farmers would reduce the price of milk when they make profit.
This agitated the Opposition, and Walse-Patil pointed out that every day there was production of 2.5 crore litres of milk.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis then told the House that the government was ready to hold a meeting next week to help dairy farmers. Khadse also made it clear that the government was keen on sorting out the issue.
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