Mumbai may feel the heat of milk stir from tonight

Mumbai: On the second day of the milk producers' agitation even though Mumbai markets did not face shortage of milk packets (processed pasteurised milk), the collection of milk has gone down substantially to almost 30 per cent. This is likely to affect Mumbaikars by Wednesday. A few city-based dealers said the supply that arrived on Tuesday was around 25 per cent less than normal but there was stock to last till Wednesday.

Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) leader Raju Shetti had threatened to cut down the milk supply of Mumbai from Sunday (July 16). His agitation demands Rs 5 per litre hike for cow milk. The protest reached its second day on Tuesday. Mumbai has not yet been majorly affected due to police protection to milk tankers as well as existing stock with the city's big dairies.

But, the city may face scarcity from Wednesday. "Milk is a perishable product. But, dairies are processing packet milk so that the retail market and general consumer can get it in four to five days. We do not know as of now for how many days the strike will go on. There is possibility of shortage in the market by Thursday latest,” said Sri Naik, senior distributor of milk, in Mumbai city.  Rajiv Jadhav, dairy development commissioner, said that that only 15 per cent to 20 per cent milk supply has been affected in the state but there has been no impact in Mumbai so far.

Meanwhile, Vinayakrao Patil, chairman of the state's processed milk producing federation has confirmed the effects of the milk strike. “There was less procurement on Monday and Tuesday. It is likely on Wednesday. This will affect the supply too. State government should intervene in the matter as soon as possible,” said Mr Patil.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has cleared his stand on talks with farmers. He has said that the government is ready to hold discussions. But farmer's leader Raju Shetti denied any invitation by the state government for talks.

“This is the way state government works. They are talking of discussion in the media, but in reality nobody has come forward to hold talks with farmers," alleged Mr Shetti.

He also urged the state government to hold discussions of all concerned stakeholders on the issue of milk rates.