Bengaluru: Dairy farmers poured hundreds of litres of milk onto the floor of a milk cooperative society in Narayanapura, Nelamangala taluk, on Monday, protesting non-payment of Dasara incentives and govt subsidies and alleging financial irregularities.The farmers said they had reached the cooperative around 5am to deliver milk, but waited for more than two-and-a-half hours without any resolution from the management. Around 7.30am, they emptied milk cans across the premises in protest.They accused the Narayanapura Milk Producers Cooperative Society’s management of repeatedly promising to release the annual Dasara bonus but failing to do so. They also alleged mismanagement of govt incentive payments and financial irregularities involving members’ savings.“We labour hard to keep the dairy supply running, but when festival time comes, the authorities play games with our hard-earned bonus and savings,” said protesting farmer Manjappa.The protesters demanded an inquiry and audit of the cooperative’s functioning, directing their anger at society president Manjunath, the secretary and other board members.Society president Manjunath was unavailable for comment. The farmers warned they would intensify their agitation and approach district cooperative department officials if their pending bonuses and savings were not released immediately.
