Bhubaneswar, Nov 21 : Unable to withstand the loss and sufferings, hundreds of milkmen in Bhubaneswar on Friday, took to the streets with milk cans on their heads and pour it on the road, in front of the collector''s office.

According to the protestors, the state government headed by Naveen Patnaik, is showing apathy towards the issues relating to the milk producers.

Milkmen, together with their milk cans, gathered in front of the District Magistrate''s office and poured 5,000 litres of milk on the road.

“We are protesting because we want to inform the people of the nation that in Orissa, milk costs less than water. Here water is sold at the rate Rupees 12 per liter, whereas milk at Rupees 10 per liter. The state government, which is committing atrocities on us, initially raised the minimum support price of milk by four rupees, but later under the pressure of some resourceful people the Chief Minister rolls back. In protest against all this, we have thrown 5,000 litres of milk outside the District Magistrate''s office,” said Pradeep Behra, General Secretary, Milk Farmers Federation.

Recently, the Orissa State Cooperative Milk Producers'' Federation Ltd. (OMFED) had increased the base price of milk by Rs. four per litre, but rolled back under severe pressure from various outfits.

Cattle farm owners are suffering losses as the prices of cattle feed have increased manifold to sustain the stock. (ANI)