The Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union has sought permission for a Rs 10-per-litre increase in milk prices, saying the earlier revision did not provide significant benefits to dairy farmers and warning of continuing stress in Kerala’s dairy sector.
The union’s Director Board decided at its first meeting after reinstatement to write to the Kerala government and the Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, popularly known as Milma, seeking approval for the proposed increase, according to a statement issued by the union. The meeting was held on Thursday, after the board was restored following an order by a High Court division bench.
Milma had increased milk prices by Rs 4 per litre in June. The union said the revision had not translated into significant benefits for dairy farmers. The latest demand therefore places the question of milk pricing at the intersection of consumer costs, farmer payments and the finances of Kerala’s cooperative dairy system.
The reinstated board also decided to provide dairy farmers with a subsidy of Rs 100 per bag of Milma cattle feed from December 1. The measure is intended to offer immediate support to producers while the board seeks a broader revision of milk prices. The statement did not specify the total financial value of the subsidy or how long it would remain in effect.
The board’s return followed a period of administrative uncertainty. The state government dissolved the regional union’s Director Board in July, but it was reinstated recently after the High Court division bench’s order. At its first meeting after returning, the board also decided to ask the government to expedite recruitment for vacancies in the Thiruvananthapuram Regional Union.
The recruitment process had been put on hold even though applications had been received and examinations completed, the union said. The board’s request links staffing capacity to the operation of the regional cooperative, although the statement did not provide details of the number of vacant posts or the timeline sought for appointments.
The meeting also took up the pending internal inquiry into the Sabarimala ghee controversy. The inquiry had remained incomplete after the dissolution of the board. The reinstated board decided to complete it and assess the veracity of the allegations.
To meet the immediate requirement for ghee at the Sabarimala temple, the board authorised the supply of 10,000 litres at wholesale rates. It also decided to participate in the e-tender for further ghee supplies to the temple, according to the statement.
The proposed milk price revision, the cattle-feed subsidy, recruitment request and decisions on ghee supplies will now require follow-up with the state government and Milma. The union’s request for a Rs 10-per-litre increase will depend on the permission of the authorities responsible for approving the revision.