Hundreds of milk producers staged a protest at the district collectorate in Wardha after milk collection was halted following action by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against Gosanvardhan Goras Bhandar. This historic dairy cooperative was founded in 1931 by Mahatma Gandhi, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, and Jamnalal Bajaj.
FDA Inspection and Closure
The FDA carried out a surprise inspection at Goras Bhandar on Sunday and sealed the premises, citing unhygienic conditions. Authorities also imposed a ban on milk collection, sale, and dairy product manufacturing until further orders. The cooperative collects and distributes nearly 9,000 litres of milk daily from around 800 cattle rearers across 15 villages.
Impact on Livelihoods
Several milk producers have been supplying milk to the institution for three to four generations and depend on it for their livelihood. Apart from milk distribution through home delivery and 11 centres, the institution also manufactures other dairy products. Over the years, it has earned the trust of consumers while providing a market for milk producers.
The action has created a crisis for nearly 800 families, with producers claiming their source of income has been disrupted. They demanded that while production of dairy products may remain suspended, milk collection and distribution should be allowed to continue. Representatives of Goras Bhandar and milk producers submitted their demand to district collector Vanmathi C. They said the closure has affected the livelihoods of hundreds of families.
Administration's Assurance
Vanmathi C assured the producers that milk from all suppliers associated with Goras Bhandar would be collected and arrangements had been made to send it to Mother Dairy so that it does not go to waste. She said the administration would examine the possibility of distributing the milk through centres in the city.
