TRS, TDP MLAs Fight Over Heritage Milk Quality

The discussion on the supply of adulterated milk on Wednesday turned the Telangana Legislative Assembly into a virtual battlefield with members of the Opposition and the treasury benches indulging in a fierce war of words.

The uproar also resulted in the adjournment of the House twice.

Replying to a question raised by TDP MLA A Revenath Reddy and others during the Question Hour, Deputy Chief Minister Dr T Rajaiah admitted that the supply of adulterated milk in Hyderabad had come to the notice of the government. He said that the milk producers were administering harmful injections to cattle to get more milk.

Giving details, Rajaiah said that enforcement staff of the GHMC under the FSS Act was instructed to collect samples of milk for analysis from the outlets of various dairy units in the GHMC area. Altogether, 32 samples of milk of various brands were collected in the last one year for analysis. Of them, 11 failed to conform to the quality standards of milk under the FSS Act. He said that action had been initiated against the offenders under the provisions of the FSS Act 2006.

The minister further informed that 1,328 vials of 100 ml Oxytocin injections without any labels were seized from two medical shops and four cattle feed vendors, and deposited in court. He said the cases were under investigation.

Rajaiah informed that of the 11 cases, one case was booked against Heritage Toned Milk where detergent was found in the sample taken from a Panjagutta outlet. This triggered strong protests from the TDP leaders as the Heritage brand is owned by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP President Chandrababu Naidu.

The uproar led to the adjournment of the House twice.

TRS MLA Ravinder Reddy claimed that the Kerala government had banned Heritage milk in the State. Panchayat Raj Minister K Tarakarama Rao confirmed this, and accused the TDP members of acting as agents of Andhra Pradesh. He said that the adulterated milk would have an adverse impact on the health of the people, especially infants and people.

Rajaiah assured that the State Government would act tough against the companies involved in the sale of adulterated milk.

During the discussion, Revanth Reddy slammed the government for improper implementation of the Gopala Mitra schemes. He said that the Gopala Mitra employees' pay had been reduced from Rs 3,500 to Rs 2,000 per month, and that labourers under NREGA were earning more daily wages that Gopala Mitras.

Congress MLAs Mallu Bhatti Vikaramarka, Dr J Geetha Reddy, G Chinna Reddy and other MLAs also spoke on the issue. (INN)