Three private sector dairy companies, including Hatsun Agro Product Ltd, a stock exchange listed company, have filed a case in the Madras High Court seeking compensation of Rs one crore each for damages from KT Rajenthra Bhalaji, who is Tamil Nadu Dairy Development Minister.

They have also prayed the Court direct Bhalaji to stop his “denigrating campaign” baselessly accusing that private dairies adulterate milk and pose a health hazard to the public.

The petitioners alleged that Bhalaji has started this campaign with the motive of promoting Aavin, the cooperative milk brand. As the Dairy Minister, he controls the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation, the Cooperative which sells Aavin milk. The private milk brands and Aavin are competitors in the market.

The Court while admitting the petition has ordered an interim injunction and notice to Bhalaji, according to the petitioners.

The other two petitioners are Dodla Dairy, based in Hyderabad, and Vijay Dairy & Farm Products Pvt Ltd, Tiruchirapalli. All three, Including Hatsun Agro which is the largest private sector dairy in the country, procure and market liquid milk.

The petitioners said since May, 2017, Bhalaji had started a concerted, malafide campaign against private sector dairies in general accusing them of adulterating milk with various chemicals and preservatives which posed a health hazard to the public. These accusations have been carried widely in news papers and media. Simultaneously, on various occassions he has also claimed Aavin is a qualitatively better product.

The petitioners have alleged that Bhalaji’s accusations against private sector dairies are a “scurrilous attack, completely unsubstantiated and most times, totally absurd.” (EOM)

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW