Tamil Nadu: Aavin Milk Shortage Issue Rears Its Head Again Amidst Row Over Now Withdrawn FSSAI Circular To Use Hindi Word 'Dahi' In Curd Packets

Amidst the row over a now withdrawn circular issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding using the Hindi word ‘Dahi’ on curd packets instead of local languages words like ‘Thayir’, the issue of shortage of milk supplied by the state owned Aavin cooperative has once again come to the fore.

According to a news report, on Thursday (30 March), supply of around 60,000 packets of milk to monthly cardholders was delayed.

While Aavin has stated that the breakdown of a homogeniser at its Ambattur plant had caused the disruption and it later supplied milk from its other dairies, opposition leaders have said that while problem with a machine is a one-off thing, the state government has been unable to come to an understanding with milk producers who have been on an indefinite strike since 10 March.

Milk producers say that private companies pay them Rs 7 more per litre. They have held protests at various places by pouring milk on roads.

Vijayakanth, the leader of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) said that although the management of Aavin and Dairy Minister SM Nasar have said that the strike would not affect supplies, there is a severe shortage in various places across the state. He added that in some areas of Chennai, Aavin milk supply was completely stopped and this was forcing people to buy expensive milk from private players.