DHAKA: State Minister for LGRD Jahangir Kabir Nanok backed up the cause of strikers as Milk Vita cooperators Thursday stopped supply of milk to the government-run marketing company to realize their three demands.     

The dairy farmers’ cooperatives of Sirajganj and Pabna stopped supplying milk from Thursday morning to press their demand for removal of the Milk Vita General Manager Nasim Ahmed, fixing procurement price of milk at Tk 35 a litre and election to the Milk Vita Cooperative union.

“The demands are logical,” said State Minister Nanok of the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry that runs the Milk Vita.

“The crisis would be resolved considering the interests of buyers, producers and farmers,” said the minister to journalists at the secretariat after the strike by cooperative milk producers began.

He said discussions have been on between the MPs in the respective areas and farmers since Wednesday night. The problem would be solved within the day Thursday and the farmers would also supply milk from Friday, he hoped.

“We are reviewing the demands, trying to fix the price reducing the production cost and increasing farmers’ sale price,” he added.

The minister urged the farmers not to spoil milk and go on supplying as usual. “Don’t push the customers into trouble destroying the milk during Ramadan,” he said in his request.

Regarding the Milk Vita cooperative union election, Nanok said the election is being delayed due to legal complications. But it would be held soon, he assured.

Nanok also said removal of the Milk Vita General Manager is not a major issue. Parliamentary standing committee has taken initiative to investigate the allegations brought against him. The government will take action according to the probe report, he added.

The government will take stern action if any of the companies increased their milk price to cash in on the ongoing disruption in supply of milk from Milk Vita, the state-owned company. “License of the company involved might be cancelled,” he warned.
   
He said, “Though there is corruption in Milk Vita, the company earned Tk 16 core net profit last year.”

BDST: 1430 HRS, SEPT 2, 2010