May 25, 2023
In the wake of the recent Amul vs Nandini milk row in Karnataka, a new battle has emerged in Tamil Nadu, pitting Amul against Aavin. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urgently seeking his intervention in the escalating dispute. Stalin has requested immediate action to prevent Amul from procuring milk from the milk shed of state cooperative, Aavin.
According to CM Stalin, it has come to their attention that the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (Amul) has utilized its multi-state cooperative license to establish chilling centers and a processing plant in Krishnagiri district. Amul has also planned to procure milk through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Self Help Groups in several districts of Tamil Nadu, including Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupathur, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur.
Stalin emphasized that it has been a customary practice in India to allow cooperatives to thrive without encroaching upon each other’s milk-shed areas. He argued that Amul’s cross-procurement strategy goes against the spirit of ‘Operation White Flood’ and exacerbates the existing milk shortage situation in the country. Furthermore, he expressed concern that Amul’s actions infringe upon Aavin’s milk shed area, which has been developed through genuine cooperative efforts over several decades.
The Chief Minister contended that such practices by Amul would give rise to unhealthy competition between cooperatives engaged in procuring and marketing milk and milk products. He highlighted the significance of regional cooperatives as the foundation of dairy development in the states, emphasizing their ability to effectively engage and support producers while shielding consumers from arbitrary price hikes.
The controversy unfolding in Tamil Nadu mirrors the recent milk war between Amul and Nandini in Karnataka. The conflict initially arose when Amul announced its plans to initiate online milk deliveries in Bengaluru, which was perceived as a threat to Nandini, Karnataka’s prominent dairy brand. The issue was further fueled by a statement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Mandya, suggesting a potential merger between the two cooperatives. However, the BJP clarified that the statement did not imply a merger but was likely misinterpreted.
As the Amul vs Aavin dispute gains momentum in Tamil Nadu, the appeal made by CM Stalin to Union Home Minister Amit Shah signals the gravity of the situation. With the agricultural and dairy sectors being crucial to both the economy and livelihoods in the region, it remains to be seen how this conflict will unfold and whether a resolution can be reached that satisfies all parties involved.
