Thane milk distributors' boycott: so far, consumers still getting milk of their choice

While Thane City Milk Business Welfare Association continues with its boycott of five milk brands- namely Amul, Warna, Mother Dairy, Mahananda and Gokul- Thanekars are still receiving milk of the brand of their choice.

The Association called the boycott because vendors wanted the major brands to increase vendors' commission from 1% to 7-8%, just like the minor milk brands have done. The boycott began on Wednesday in Thane, and on Thursday, vendors from Diva, Mumbra, and Panvel joined the boycott.

As of now, though, major brands are being supplied through available stocks. Shashi Kumar Nair, a resident of Manpada in Thane said, "We are getting our regular brand, and till now the vendor has not said anything about the boycott."

An Association official said, "On Wednesday, milk sales fell by nearly 6%, as Thane milk suppliers refused to sell these brands. By the end of Wednesday, the figures fell to 35,000 litres for Gokul and 20,000 litres for Mahanand."

P..D Chodnekar, Joint Secretary of the Association, said, "More than 80% vendors from Thane have boycotted the major brands, but there were a few from Ghodbunder Road who were unaware of the ban. We made sure that customers don't face any problem because of the boycott."

Ramesh Gudekar, president, Milk Distributors Association Panvel, said, "The boycott will continue as long as our demands are not met." He added that to meet the demand created by the boycott of these major brands, his association is supplying other brands of milk, ensuring that consumers are not affected.