Pandurang Chodnekar, joint secretary of the welfare association, said, “Brands like Gokul and Amul had said no to increasing the commission even after many follow-ups. Later on, even Mother Dairy backed out. Hence, from May 20 onwards, even Mother Dairy will come under the boycott.”
Milk retailers in Thane toughened their stand on Tuesday by adding another brand to their boycott list – Mother Dairy. The Thane Milk Business Welfare Association, which has been demanding a substantial hike in commission, took the decision after Mother Dairy too took the line of Gokul and Amul and refused to budge.
Milk associations across the city started their boycott on April 22 by refusing to sell five major brands – Amul, Gokul, Mahananda, Mother Dairy and Warna – as the companies refused to hike the commission to at least 7% from the meagre 1% at present. After countless meetings, only Mahananda and Warna agreed to increase the commission, while Gokul and Amul remained adamant and Mother Dairy said it is seized of the matter.
Pandurang Chodnekar, joint secretary of the welfare association, said, “Brands like Gokul and Amul had said no to increasing the commission even after many follow-ups. Later on, even Mother Dairy backed out. Hence, from May 20 onwards, even Mother Dairy will come under the boycott.”
Although it is the consumer who has been caught in the crossfire between milk retailers' association and milk companies, neither of the two seems to be bothered about them. They feel if companies agree to up retailers' commission, they (companies) will definitely pass the burden on to the consumer.
While Mahananda has agreed to the demand of the milk association, it has also increased the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of milk from Rs38 to Rs40. Warna may follow suit as the company too has nodded in agreement to the terms and conditions of the milk association.
Akshaya Kawle, a Thane resident, said, “The milk boycott has come to affect us in two ways. One, we don't get our favourite brands and, two, even if we get, we have to shell out more money as the companies that have increased the commission have also hiked the MRP.”
The total boycott of Mother Dairy, Gokul and Amul will come into effect from Wednesday (May 20). The cold-shouldering of the companies will start from Thane and spread across Kalyan, Dombivli, Diva, Mumbra, Panvel, Navi Mumbai, Kharegaon, Borivli, Dahisar and Chidnekar. It is also hinted that the boycott will not end until a written confirmation is received from these brands about increasing retailers' commission. The Thane association is also planning to intensify the protest across Mumbai.
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