Dairy Farmers’ Kin to Get Job Quota in Milma; Govt Clears Proposal

MILMA:

Milma Chairman K S Mani today welcomed the State Government’s decision according in-principle approval to the proposal to provide reservation for dependents of dairy farmers in permanent appointments in Milma’s three regional unions, terming it as a “historic and revolutionary step that will further strengthen Kerala’s dairy sector.”

The Dairy Development Department issued orders according in-principle, based on the resolutions adopted by general body of Milma’s Regional Unions and submitted to the government for further action.

Mani, Chairman of Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (KCMMF), known by brand Milma, thanked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development J Chinchurani for the decision.

“This is a historic and revolutionary decision in the 45 years’ history of Milma. Through this order the LDF Government has reaffirmed its deep commitment to the wellbeing of the dairy farmers. This will ensure that the dependents of dairy farmers will get due consideration in appointments. It will also encourage more people to enter the dairy sector and further strengthen the pivotal role played by Milma in the state’s dairy sector, “ Mani said.

The order has directed Milma’s regional unions, Milma Managing Director and the Director of Dairy Development Department to submit proposals regarding the criteria to be followed in reservation, and obtain the approval of the general body of the regional unions.

Though there is already reservation in appointments for dependents of members of Anand-model milk cooperative societies under Milma’s three regional cooperative milk marketing unions, it is now being extended to the dependents of all dairy farmers across the state, which is a path-breaking measure, Mani pointed out.

As per the order issued by the Dairy Development Department, Government of Kerala, certain percentage of appointment in non-technical posts in Milma’s three regional unions—Malabar, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram—will be reserved for the dependents of dairy farmers. The candidates from respective districts under the three unions will be entitled for the reservation.

Mani said Milma and its regional unions had taken up this demand with the government.

The general body meeting of the Malabar Regional Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (MRCMPU) held on November 11, 2023, chaired by Mani, had recommended the government that dependents of dairy farmers should either be given reservation or preference in appointments in regional unions.

A similar resolution was adopted by the Ernakulam Regional Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (ERCMPU) and submitted it to the Government.

The Director, Dairy Development Department had also expressed the view that providing reservation for dependents of dairy farmers in appointments in regional unions of Milma would be a great boost for the dairy sector.