The simmering tensions in Rajasthan’s dairy sector are set to boil over as thousands of dairy farmers plan a major sit-in protest at Jaipur’s Shaheed Smarak on June 2, demanding the urgent release of long-overdue payments under the Dairy Support Scheme and for milk powder supplied to state-run programs.
Organized by Ajmer Dairy Chairman Ramchandra Choudhary, the protest represents 16 cooperative dairy unions across the state. Choudhary alleges that over ₹200 crore in subsidies under the Dairy Support Scheme remains unpaid, despite recent disbursements by the Finance Department for November and December 2024.
“This partial payment is too little, too late,” said Choudhary. “Farmers are in distress, and the government must release the entire arrears immediately.”
In addition, Choudhary raised alarms about another ₹350 crore pending for milk powder supplied to schools under various nutritional and welfare programs. He emphasized that these unpaid dues are already crippling dairy cooperatives, which are under financial strain due to rising input costs and stagnant milk procurement prices.
Cracks in Unity: A Divided Dairy Lobby
Despite the urgency and scale of the protest, the unity of the dairy sector appears compromised. Jaipur Dairy Chairman Om Prakash Poonia has distanced himself from the protest, advocating for a more diplomatic approach.
“This issue requires negotiation, not confrontation,” Poonia stated, suggesting that public demonstrations may hinder rather than help the sector’s long-term interests.
The division could prove pivotal. A unified front might compel the state government to act, but disunity provides officials with room to question the legitimacy and universality of the demands.
Industry observers say the June 2 demonstration will be a barometer not only for the resolve of Rajasthan’s dairy farmers but also for the internal power dynamics within the dairy cooperative ecosystem.
A Sector in Peril
This protest highlights broader issues plaguing the Indian dairy industry, particularly in states like Rajasthan. As dairy farmers face delayed payments, rising fodder costs, and inconsistent policy support, protests have become more frequent across India.
The outcome of this protest could set a precedent for how state governments respond to fiscal obligations and mobilisations in the dairy sector.
All eyes will be on Shaheed Smarak, where a high-stakes protest will test both farmer unity and the state’s willingness to address the grievances of one of its most vital rural industries.
