The high-handedness of directors has been criticised for driving the milk federation to bankruptcy.

Speaking at a programme on the 59th All India Co-operative Week at the Kodikannur Milk Producers’ Co-operative Society auditorium in Kolar on Sunday, S R Rudraswamy, the Director of District Co-operative Federation said that, “Directors of Kolar-Chikkaballapur Milk Union Limited should come forward to protect farmers’ interests. If they continue to be selfish, farmers will soon lay siege to the Federation.”

He explained that Komul is incurring a loss of Rs 15 to Rs 19 lakh per day.

‘Agents’

“Directors of the Federation are behaving like agents of politicians. There are problems in the Federation as the Directors are not attending meetings of the administrative board,” he added and advised Directors to attend the imminent November 22 meeting.

“They should solve problems including differences. Otherwise they will have to face protests,” he said.

Nine lakh litres

Offering details of milk production he revealed that nine lakh litres of milk is stored in the Federation each day. Of this, six lakh litres is being sold and remaining is being used to prepare milk powder. “But the problem here is that the milk powder is not being sold,” he said. Milk Federation Director Madderi Ramegowda, Taluk unit president of Milk Producers’ Co-operative Society V M Venkatesh and others were present.