Nandini milk supply hit in parts of Bengaluru as transporters go on strike

BENGALURU: Supply of Nandini milk was affected in some parts on the city on Friday with a section of the transporters going on strike, demanding revision of payments and settlement of dues.

About 200 of the 800 contracted transporters of the Bangalore Milk Union (Bamul) have stopped supply since Friday afternoon. Each truck does one trip a day, covering about 40 km, and the transporters are paid anywhere between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,800, which the transporters say is not enough, given the rising fuel cost and other factors.

The Bamul transporters association president Govindappa and (right) the protesters.

“The contract period has ended, but they are delaying giving us additional payments citing one reason or the other. For four years, we have been transporting milk at the old rates and it is difficult now, given the fuel cost, drivers’ salaries among others. Even if we cover extra distance, they don’t pay for it and we can’t even save Rs 50 a day”, said Govindappa, a transporter and president of the transporters’ association.

“We have given 4-5 appeals, but the authorities are not responding. When we raised the issue on Friday, we were addressed in singular asked us to get out. They promised a 10 per cent rise a few months ago, but went back on their word. Bamul called for fresh tenders thrice, but nobody came forward because it’s difficult to meet their tender specifications. They aren’t even giving us the tender rates and blackmailed us into accepting lesser”, Govindappa added.