OMFED Drivers’ Strike Hits Milk Supply In Bhubaneswar, Cuttack

Cuttack: Milk supply to the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar was severely affected on Tuesday, after contractual drivers of OMFED (Odisha State Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited) staged a protest, opposing the arrest of a fellow driver by the police.

According to sources, contractual drivers of OMFED staged the cease-work stir after Baranga police detained a driver for allegedly pilfering milk. Cops detained him based on a complaint filed by the OMFED Naraj plant authorities, who alleged that more than 100 litres of milk was recovered from his van recently.

OMFED milk van drivers staged a protest at Naraj plant in Cuttack, disrupting milk supply to Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas.

“A milk van driver and his associate were stealing milk packets a couple of days ago. An FIR was lodged against the erring driver and police arrested him. But his fellow drivers have stated a protest demanding his release. So the milk supply was affected,” OMFED Managing Director Vijay Amruta Kulange told the media.

Several customers and milk booth owners in the twin cities expressed their dissatisfaction over disruption of milk supply to the twin cities. They hoped the issue is resolved and milk supply resumes at the earliest.