Milk producing unions by women are being set up in the district under the Union government’s Step programme, which aims  to improve the economic and social status of women.

Talking to newsmen here the Kolar district milk producers’ cooperative union director Premanath said, the unions are being started to help women become self reliant.

In all 80 such milk unions have already been started and a few more are on the anvil.

Special programmes are being planned on milk production and preserving cattle.  To make women aware of implementation of clean milk programme, a study tour has been organised to Amul in Gujarat. Women milk producing unions will be given more facilities, Mr Premanath said.

Already 1.57 crore have been spent on establishing the milk unions. Special stress is being given under the Yashaswini programme, he added.

As many as 7 lakh litres of milk is collected everyday by the  federation. Out of which 25,000 litres are sold in the district itself, Mr Premnath stated.

Nearly 1.35 lakh litres are being supplied to Bangalore City. Mother Dairy buys around 2.77 lakh litres of milk, he said.

The milk federation pays Rs 30 out of the Rs 120 one required to pay to become members of the Yashaswini programme, said Mr Premanath.