Nandini agents smell scam in purchase of new crates

Four days after Mysore Milk Union Limited (Mymul) of Mysore and Chamarajanagar District Cooperative Milk Producers Societies Union Limited, introduced new crates to supply Nandini milk packets and other products to its authorised agents on January 16, to address the complaints of broken packets, the agents have cried foul. The agents have alleged large scale irregularities in purchasing the same, and have demanded a judicial probe into it.

Addressing the media here on Tuesday, President of Mysore and Chamarajanagar Milk Traders Association Kumar H said a protest demonstration had been planned in front of Mymul from January 22, demanding the authorities concerned to address their long pending demands.

Kumar alleged that though Mymul had taken the step by introducing new crates to check damaged milk packets, quality of the same was questionable, as, some of the crates had broken on the first day itself. Kumar released photographs of such broken crates in support of his allegation. 

Secondly, the low quality milk packets made of polythene, remained same in the size. But, it was made to hold 20 ML of milk more, against the earlier 500 ML of milk, which was another reason for the damage in the packets. Owing to the increase in quantity, the bulging milk packets when packed together in the crates, were bound to get damaged, he said. It would be better if the size of the crates is increased by two inches further on the lines of private suppliers, he added.Kumar further alleged that Mymul mandating that it will not take back broken packets, was against the interest of the agents. “Whenever, agents question the authorities in this regard, they indulge in blame game, pointing at the transporters. Sometimes, the authorities blatantly tell the agents to route such packets to hotels,” he said.

According to the recent circular, agents have to ensure that no damaged packets are received at the time of unloading. Kumar also said that there was a loophole in the security system at Mymul itself, as the guards were selling the products covertly.