MUMBAI: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday slammed the Shinde-Fadnavis government over the reported handing over of the Mahanand Dairy to the Gujarat based but centre-run National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). Officials said that due to difficulties in milk collection and distribution, and mounting losses the Mahanand Dairy board passed a resolution and has sent a proposal to the state government to hand over the management of Mahanand to NDDB.Mahanand is a state government undertaking, once known for its profitability and supply of milk across the state. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Mahanand Dairy was once the glory of the state, but now that the dairy will be taken over by NDDB.
Mahanand is a venture of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Milk Federation Limited (MSCMFL) and is one of the top cooperative dairies in the state. Mahanand is similar to Amul in Gujarat or Nandini in Karnataka but has suffered heavy losses in the recent past and hasn’t been able to sustain the brand, officials said.
“Mahanand, Gokul, Varana, Chitale we have many milk brands in Maharashtra. There is a very large network of milk production, milk dairies in the rural areas of Maharashtra. Amul is not necessary in the state for that. The central government tried to kill a similar brand called Nandini in Karnataka. The Congress contested the election on that one Nandini brand. Efforts are on to take Mahanand to Gujarat as well. Mahanand is the identity of Maharashtra. That identity is also being erased now. Who is behind this?” Raut asked.
“The Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra do not see this scam. In this way, every day one business from Maharashtra is being pulled out and taken to Gujarat and they are sitting with their mouths shut. What kind of Chief Minister is this? They are seeing Maharashtra being looted before their eyes. Farmers, labourers, dairy co-operatives who give employment to people in Maharashtra …they are taking everything there (Gujarat). This government is tolerating all this by being a cat under Delhi’s plate. The government is watching the humiliation of Maharashtra with open eyes. Shiv Sena (UBT) will not rest if there is an attempt to take away Mahanand,” Raut said.
In March last year, Dairy Development Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe had told the legislature that the state government was in an advanced stage of talks with the NDDB for Mahanand’s takeover. Officials said that if the hand over does take place, the fate of close to 600 out of the close to 1000 employees could also hang in the balance as the NDDB said it could only accommodate around 350 people, officials said.
Mahanand is a venture of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Milk Federation Limited (MSCMFL) and is one of the top cooperative dairies in the state. Mahanand is similar to Amul in Gujarat or Nandini in Karnataka but has suffered heavy losses in the recent past and hasn’t been able to sustain the brand, officials said.
“Mahanand, Gokul, Varana, Chitale we have many milk brands in Maharashtra. There is a very large network of milk production, milk dairies in the rural areas of Maharashtra. Amul is not necessary in the state for that. The central government tried to kill a similar brand called Nandini in Karnataka. The Congress contested the election on that one Nandini brand. Efforts are on to take Mahanand to Gujarat as well. Mahanand is the identity of Maharashtra. That identity is also being erased now. Who is behind this?” Raut asked.
“The Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra do not see this scam. In this way, every day one business from Maharashtra is being pulled out and taken to Gujarat and they are sitting with their mouths shut. What kind of Chief Minister is this? They are seeing Maharashtra being looted before their eyes. Farmers, labourers, dairy co-operatives who give employment to people in Maharashtra …they are taking everything there (Gujarat). This government is tolerating all this by being a cat under Delhi’s plate. The government is watching the humiliation of Maharashtra with open eyes. Shiv Sena (UBT) will not rest if there is an attempt to take away Mahanand,” Raut said.
In March last year, Dairy Development Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe had told the legislature that the state government was in an advanced stage of talks with the NDDB for Mahanand’s takeover. Officials said that if the hand over does take place, the fate of close to 600 out of the close to 1000 employees could also hang in the balance as the NDDB said it could only accommodate around 350 people, officials said.
