Dairy farmers call off protest after truce with Maharashtra ​government

Mumbai: Shortly after Maharashtra government announced Rs 25 per litre as the minimum rate of milk for dairy farmers, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna chief Raju Shetty on Thursday called off the protest. The decision will be implemented from July 21, 2018.

Maharashtra: Raju Shetty, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna chief, calls-off the protest demanding price hike for milk farmers after the state government announced Rs 25 per litre as the minimum rate of milk for dairy farmers from July 21. pic.twitter.com/bzPOMOw4sw

— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2018

The workers of the Sangathan washed buffaloes with milk and distributed milk to children, earlier in the day, as a mark of protest. They also staged a protest in Nagpur demanding a hike of Rs 5 per litre in milk procurement prices.

The farmers have been holding protests in parts of the state since Monday, seeking a hike of Rs 5 per litre in the procurement prices. The impact of the protest was felt particularly in Mumbai and Pune where milk supplies were partially affected.

Though the protest did not create an acute shortage of milk yet, the agitation intensified with families of dairy farmers also pitching in.

Supporters and members of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana had blocked the Kini toll booth on National Highway No. 4 near Kolhapur city, prompting the police to divert some vehicular traffic to other routes.

Protests also took place in Kolhapur's neighbouring Sangli district. The Sanghatana's Nanded district leader, Prahlad Ingole, had said their demands were for farmers who are at the bottom of the economic hierarchy.

The major milk-producing districts of Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Ahmednagar and Nashik supply bulk of the stock to Mumbai and Pune. Some units in Thane and Palghar also supply milk to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

(With inputs from agencies)