Assam Dairy Producers Throw 1000 litres of Milk in River to Protest against Govt

Jagiroad, August 17, 2019:

The Sitajakhala Dugdha Utpadak Samabai Samity (SJDUSSL), an Assam Dairy Board, threw away about 1000 litres of milk into the Killing river in Jagiroad, Assam.

The Sitajakhala Samity members took this drastic step of throwing away their produce in protest against the Central government’s policies on dairy farming and the state government’s negligent attitude towards the farmers. They launched an indefinite protest rally.

It is to be noted that the farmers staged the protest following the 'anti-local' policy of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Purabi, a local dairy brand in front of their office in Jagiroad. The Samity has urged the Sarbananda Sonowal-led government to take strict measures against Purabi Dairy for trying to interfere with the local milk production.

Rajib Sharma, Chairman of the SJDUSS Ltd said that the Assam government, through Purabi, signed an agreement with Gujarat based NDDB, depriving the local dairy farmers of getting the proper value of their produce supplied to Purabi. The protestors said that they would continue their protests unless the government canceled the agreement.

In the meanwhile, Ex-Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi, at a Press Meet held in Guwahati said, “The government should address the Sita Jakhala dairy farmers.”

Started in 1958 with just 17 members, the Samity has come a long way creating a brand name of its own in the state. It currently has around 1000 members and its products are available in the local markets.

It was formed with the aim to wipe out middlemen in the milk business of Assam.

The incident drew widespread criticism from across the nation. People have expressed disappointment citing that in a state where lakhs of people are deprived of nutrition, 1000 litres of milk has been wasted.

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