Farmers body threatens to stop milk supply in Gujarat

VADODARA: A farmers' body has threatened to stop supply of milk in the state if the Gujarat government fails to ensure regular payment for the milk they sell at village-level milk societies.
According to Bharatiya Kisan Union (A), since the demonetisation move, lakhs of farmers in the state are forced to travel up to 12 km and stand in long queues to get their payments.
Earlier, milk farmers used to get paid in cash at their respective societies. "It was said that things will improve after 50 days of demonetisation. Over 150 days have passed and yet farmers are not getting their payments on time," said Ravi Patel, president of Gujarat unit of Bharatiya Kisan Union.
Now, payments by district dairy unions are done every fortnight.Of the 24 lakh milk producers in the state, 10 lakh milk producers don't have access to any banking facility in their vicinity. They have to travel long distances and at times are asked to return the next day to get their remuneration,“ he said.
The body has claimed that around 200 farmers will join the agitation that will be launched on Wednesday from near Amul Dairy's premises in Anand. Later, it has plans to take out a `padyatra' from Sardar Patel statue near Amul Dairy to district collectorate's office where it will submit a memorandum.