Mumbaikars suffer as milk supply runs short owing to farmers' blockade

MUMBAI: The sixth day of the dairy farmers' agitation in Maharashtra caused a visible shortage of milk across Mumbai. Miscreants led by Kolhapur MP Raju Shetti's Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna forcibly blocked supplies to the city.
Meanwhile, milk producers farmers in Maharashtra called off their strike on Thursday after the state government agreed to a majority of their demands.
Amul's supplies fell short in Parel, Mulund and Kandeshwar near Panvel. Gokul was not available in Jacob Circle. Thote Dairy which procures cow and buffalo milk from Sangli had to roll down shutters at all its three Mumbai branches. The prospect of normalcy does not seem bright for Friday either.
Ramesh Jadhav of Thote Dairy said, "All three outlets at Mahim, Shivaji Park and Girgaum are closed owing to non supply. Our tankers are unable to transport milk from Sangli for they are being intercepted by hooligans. There is no certainty about milk being available on Friday. Both we and our buyers are suffering."
Amul's consumers had to seek alternate brands as supply dipped in Parel and Mulund. However, Amul's managing director R S Sodhi said, "There is no short supply on our part. In fact I would say we have supplied more than normal. It could be though that the shortfall of other brands is causing pressure to come on us. For instance, if a retailer procures 100 litres of milk of which 70 is Amul and 30 others, he will have to adjust our stock if the rest fall short."
Amul is the largest supplier to Maharashtra at 20 lakh litres of which 18 lakh comes to Mumbai. So minor shortages can possibly be absorbed. Amul also has a milk processing plant in Vashi. Gokul first supplies to Kolhapur then Pune then Mumbai.
Gokul spokesman Sangram Bhosale said, "Our procurement has completely come to a halt. Our vehicles are being stopped and vandalised so there is no word on when supply will normalise."
Gokul reportedly sought five lakh litres from Amul to tide over the situation, but the dairy expressed helplessness citing its own requirement amid the crisis.