Milk producers stage a massive protest near the deputy commissioner’s office in Hosapete on Thursday.
Credit: DH Photo
Hosapete (Vijayanagara): Vijayanagara is the highest milk-producing district in the milk union comprising Raichur, Ballari, Koppal, and Vijayanagara (RABKOVI) districts. Milk producers of Vijayanagara district unanimously decided that if additional director posts and a mega dairy are not sanctioned to Hosapete, not a single drop of milk will be supplied to Ballari.
The milk producers took out a protest march in the City and staged a dharna in front of the deputy commissioner’s office here on Thursday, demanding that a separate milk union be established for Vijayanagara district and a mega dairy should be built in Hosapete.
They decided to take out a massive march to Ballari and put a stop to the intimidation tactics.
Power hungry
Akhil Karnataka Rajya Kisan Jagruti Sangha district working president Basavaraj Kukkappi said, milk unions have not increased in Ballari, and no steps have been taken to increase milk production. But they have an attitude that they must have the power. This is unacceptable. If the milk producers decide not to send even a drop of milk from the district to Ballari, nothing can be done in Ballari. Therefore, this decision will be strengthened in the coming days, he said.
Raitha Sangha leader Veerasangaiah said, Bheema Naik has done an excellent job as the KMF chairman. But there have been developments in Ballari that are insulting to him. A threat has also been given that if he sets foot in Ballari, he will be punished. That is why it has been decided to take out a huge march to Ballari, he said.
Cattle feed plant
Milk Federation Director Marulasiddappa said that a cattle feed manufacturing plant is being built in Hosapete at Rs 40 crore, and it will be inaugurated in a few days. The good work being done by Bheema Naik is being criticised unnecessarily. If anyone has increased the price of milk given to farmers twice a year, it is Bheema Naik alone, he said.
The farmer leaders garlanded Ambedkar’s statue, and then garlanded Basaveshwara’s statue at the Basaveshwara Circle near Siddipriya Kalyanamantapa here. Later, a huge procession was taken out to the deputy commissioner’s office. Hundreds of people gathered and raised slogans for a separate milk union and a mega dairy.
The protesters holding milk cans on their heads attracted the attention of onlookers. Finally, a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister through the deputy commissioner.