Mumbai:
The Aarey dairy in Mumbai has confirmed that the supply of toned milk fell to 1,20,000 litres on Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtrian New Year, instead of its daily 1,50,000 litres.
The decreasing supply should trigger warning bells, as high procurement costs are making it difficult for the dairy to supply milk in the city.
Ram Kadam, general secretary, Maharashtra Milk Distributor Sena, said, "The supply of milk was indeed affected on Gudi Padwa and I have learnt that the supply may further fall by 15 per cent today."
An Aarey booth owner from Kurla revealed that the supply of Aarey milk in Kurla jurisdiction on Tuesday was only 30 per cent. Only 30 crates were provided instead of the 100 crates that are supplied otherwise.
Dairy officials attached to Aarey confirmed that the supply was indeed less on Tuesday. "On Wednesday we can only supply approximately 1 lakh litre of milk and the supply would fall further in coming days."
Two tankers of milk from Aurangabad that were supposed to be sent to Mumbai under the Greater Mumbai Milk Scheme were diverted to Nagpur.
"When Mumbai is facing shortage of milk, why were the tankers diverted to Nagpur. It is because most of the ministers are from there?" asked a milk distributor.
Senior dairy officials admitted the diversion of route, stating that they had instructions from higher authorities.