Pvt dairies urges TN govt to allow partial operation during complete lockdown

Chennai, Apr 25 (): Private diaries operating inTamil Nadu on Saturday requested the state government to allowthem to sell milk for two hours during the four-day completelockdown which would come into effect from tomorrow.

Aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, thegovernment of Tamil Nadu on Friday announced complete lockdownfor four days in five districts-- Chennai, Coimbatore, Maduraiand three days in Salem and Tiruppur from Sunday.

Major private diaries operating in the state-Thirumala, Jersey, Heritage and Dodla- requested thegovernment to grant permission to allow retail shops to remainopen "for sale of milk for two hours during the completelockdown".

Though the dairy companies can supply the milk toshops, they would not be available to public as the shopswould be closed due to complete lockdown, the companies saidin a press release.

"If dairy companies are not able to sell they wouldnot be able to procure milk which would have an impact onfarmers who are dependent on sourcing...," they said.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Friday whileannouncing the complete lockdown said, "the lockdown will befully implemented in the Corporation areas of Chennai,Coimbatore and Madurai from 6 am on April 26 till 9 pm onApril 29."

Salem and Tirupur Corporation zones will see similarcomplete lockdown between Sunday 6 am and Tuesday April 28, 9pm, he had said.

The government has clarified that supply of AAVIN milkrun by the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers' FederationLtd would be available to public during the lockdown.

Tamil Nadu has reported 1,755 coronavirus cases so farwhile 22 people have lost their lives in the state. VIJ SS