The Hindu Business Line : Visakha Dairy eyeing 3 co-op sugar units

VISAKHA Dairy, the most successful co-operative dairy in the State, is eyeing three co-operative sugar units in the north-coastal districts. This was stated by Mr A. Tulasi Rao, the Chairman of the dairy, at a press meet on Monday evening at Tuni in East Godavari district when he visited a cooling unit of the dairy there.

Mr Tulasi Rao told newsmen that the State Government had been making attempts to privatise three co-operative sugar factories at Tandava, Etikoppaka and Chodavaram for sometime and Visakha Dairy was of the opinion that the three units could easily be turned around. "In fact, the factories have been incurring losses due to the faulty policies of the Government and the managements and fundamentally they are all sound," he said.

He said Visakha Dairy had submitted proposals to the State Government offering to take over the units and bring them back on track. "If the factories are privatised, cane farmers in East Godavari, Visakhapatnam and other districts will suffer a great deal.

The co-operative movement will suffer a great setback. That is why we have made the offer. If the State Government calls for bids, we are prepared to participate in the open bidding," he said.

Referring to the sick Godavari Dairy, Rajahmundry, he said Visakha Dairy was willing to buy it over. He said Visakha Dairy was willing to pay Rs 50 lakh arrears to the farmers and Rs 10 crore owed by the Godavari Dairy to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). But, he said, Visakha would not be able to pay the arrears to the staff. "Now, it is for the State Government to take a decision," he said.

He said Visakha Dairy had expanded its operations to many areas in East Godavari and made impressive strides during the past two years. The dairy was also setting up a milk powder unit at Rangampeta in the district at a cost of Rs 12 crore. For the purpose, 18 acres of land had been acquired in the village.

Further, he said, the dairy was planning to set up 60 bulk milk freezing units at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore.

Mr Tulasi Rao, who belongs to the Telugu Desam party, said Visakha Dairy was striving to promote the co-operative spirit in the villages rising above party politics.

"We have set up a multi-specialty hospital and educational institutions in Visakhapatnam for the benefit of dairy farmers and their children. We want to make Visakha Dairy a model for others," he added.

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