BMC cries over ‘spoilt’ milk

It is willing to scrap the Rs298-cr supply contract with the Haryana-based GK Dairy and Milk Manufacturers; desperately seeks a suitable alternative

MUMBAI: The BMC feels just like a fly which has dropped into a bowl of milk. Desperate to extricate itself from the controversy over the supply of flavoured milk to 4.5 lakh municipal schools students, the civic body has hit the damage control mode.

As many as 48 children took ill in five days after consuming the ‘strawberry’ milk, manufactured by the Haryana-based GK Dairy and Milk Manufactures. To make a clean breast, the BMC is willing to scrap the Rs298-crore milk supply contract, awarded recently to Rashtriya Mazdoor Madhyavarti Grahak  Sangathana (RMMGS).

Municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak said that there was “nothing wrong” with the quality of toned milk, but quickly added that the BMC did not want any further blemishes in this issue. Phatak said, “We are considering options of giving the students biscuits, eggs, banana and vegetables, which will supplement the mid-day meal (khichdi) provided to them under central scheme.” Another option being considered was giving cash to mothers directly for buying nutritious food for children, he added. 

“We will put the alternative proposals before the standing committee on Monday. A decision will be taken after discussing every aspect,” Phatak said. A 200 mg packet of milk supplies 1950 mg calories. Civic officials said that finding an alternative, equally rich in food value, would be difficult.