Farmers'' stir: Shortage of milk, vegetables worsen in Rajasthan

Jaipur, June 5

The crisis in the supply of milk and vegetables escalated in several parts of Rajasthan on Tuesday as the agitation by the farmers to press for a loan waiver and higher prices for their produce entered the fifth day.

The agitation in Kaladera village, which houses large dairy centres, affected milk procurement by Jaipur Dairy, one of the major suppliers of milk in and around the state capital.

Only 7.70 lakh litres of milk could be procured from the collection centres against the normal procurement of 11 lakh litres, Jaipur Dairy Chairman Om Prakash Punia said.

The supply of certain brands of milk has been suspended for two days due to the shortage, he said, adding that it will resume on Wednesday.

The supply of vegetables to mandis in Jaipur also continued to be inadequate.

The supply in Muhana vegetable market, Jaipur's largest, remained poor, President of Muhana Fruit and Vegetable Seller Association, Rahul Tanwar said.

He added that the supply and prices of vegetables were expected to normalise from on Wednesday.

Farmers in various parts of India launched a 10-day Gaon Bandh (rural shutdown) on June 1 to press their demands.

Their demands include a loan waiver, higher prices for their produce and immediate implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report.

As part of the protest, farmers have been dumping milk, vegetables and other farm produce on roads and blocked supplies to cities. PTI