Vellore residents, Aavin agents irked by prolonged delays

VELLORE: The delay in arrival of milk from the Sathuvachary Aavin dairy for local distribution is affecting consumers and agents alike.

Officials said Vellore Aavin procures around 1.35 lakh litres daily and after supply to Tiruvannamalai, Chennai and other nearby towns, local sales accounts for 75,000 litres.

TN Milk Agents and Employees Welfare Association vice president VM Sankar told DT Next, “the late arrival of milk has been the case for many months and though I took up the issue with Vellore Aavin GM Ravi Kumar and sought a solution, none was forthcoming.”

“The delay in milk delivery to houses upsets daily activities,” rued Gomathi, a housewife in Sathuvachary, adding “milk agents are unable to inform us when exactly the situation will return to normal.”

“Till some months back agents used to deliver milk to our houses by 6 am. Now, it is arriving only around 8.30 am. Besides affecting all our daily chores, it is also affecting family members going to office and educational institutions,” laments Kothandapani, a government official.

Sankar said, “the dairy does not depute adequate staff for packing and storing milk as the cold room which would ensure quick checking of leakage is never used. The dairy gives us 500 ml for every 500 litres we lift to make up for leakage and hence not only suppliers, but also public are affected. The only reason why public have not switched over to private milk is they are sold at Rs 66 a litre compared to Aavin’s Rs 48,” he added.

Vellore Aavin GM Ravi Kumar claimed, “the disruption happened only for one day due to rains. On Thursday, milk reached vendors at 5 am.” In fact, we have recorded an increase in sales by 4,000 litres, he said. Asked about the complaint on delayed supply and insufficient staff to handle night shift, Ravi Kumar rejected the idea and said, “Their views are wrong.” But, locals aver except Thursday, supplies reached vendors very late.