Thane milk body bans popular brands in commission row

Don't be surprised if your milkman drops Godavri, Gowardhan or Narmada milk packets instead of your favourite brands Gokul, Mother, Warna, Mahananda and Amul. You may not find these five brands in stores in Thane because the Thane City Milk Business Welfare Association has boycotted them for want of more margin.

The association has been unhappy with the kind of commission these brands are giving it and, hence, decided on Wednesday to boycott them in the local market.

Confirming the boycott, joint secretary of the association PD Chodnekar said, "We are not against consumers and our boycott won't affect milk supply in the city as we will provide other brands."

"The suppliers and agencies of these five brands can increase our commission without burdening customers with an MRP hike. The suppliers have reduced the procurement rate of milk by Rs4 from the farmers, and yet they have not increased the commission," Chodnekar added.

Furthermore, the association gets a handsome commission of 75% from Godavari and Gowardhan, whereas Gokul, Mother, Warna, Mahananda and Amul give them a meagre 1-1.2%.

Chodnekar also hinted at spreading the movement from Thane to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. He said he had a meeting with the authorities and very soon these brands would be boycotted in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai as well.