Aavin employees were suspended by the govt on Saturday for failing to prevent theft.
At Tiruvallur district’s Kakkalur Dairy Farm, about 83,000 litres of Aavin milk packets are produced daily and distributed to around 31,000 monthly cardholders in the suburban districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpet through 10 contract vehicles. Additionally, 52,000 litres are distributed through 22 wholesale distributor vehicles to the general public via milk agents.
Recently, the local vigilance team received information that Aavin milk packets meant for monthly cardholders were being stolen in contract vehicles. On May 24 night, a team stopped three vehicles heading for distribution in Kancheepuram at Tiruvallur. The officials discovered about 1,620 litres of extra full-cream Aavin milk packets in 135 cans across these three vehicles. Consequently, dairy farm manager Kanishka, supervisor Raja, and senior factory assistant Murali, were suspended for failing to prevent this theft.
T Sadagopan, a consumer rights activist from Avadi, expressed frustration over the ongoing disruptions in milk supply. “Milk deliveries in the western suburbs are frequently delayed by up to two hours, forcing us to buy milk from retail shops despite paying for Aavin’s doorstep delivery. This issue extends to other dairy products such as buttermilk, curd, and butter, which are also in short supply. Aavin should have some competition in monthly doorstep delivery services.”
S A Ponnusamy, president of the Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers’ Welfare Association, called for a thorough investigation into the matter. “There are politically backed agents behind this recent case. We demand an investigation into the drivers’ phone records and CCTV footage along the route, and immediate suspension of political contracts that interfere with the work of honest officials at Aavin.”
