The Tamil Nadu Dairy Development Minister, Rajenthra Bhalaji’s allegations during the month of May against private milk manufacturers are back to haunt him. The Minister said the milk which are sold by private companies was adulterated and possess the risk of cancer in children.
When he was further questioned regarding the issue, he proclaimed he would resign or even hang himself if his accusations are proved wrong. But a month after his alarming statements, the Central Food Lab in Pune reported there were no toxic ingredients in the milk samples sent by Tamil Nadu to the laboratory.
“His claims have been proven false. We can’t ask him to commit suicide. So, we are asking him to resign,” says Ponnusamy S.A., the Founder and the President of Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers Employees Welfare Association.
“He is constantly scaring people with his statements? If he had proof of carcinogenic substances existing in the milk he should have acted earlier isn’t it?” asks Ponnusamy. “He said private companies add hydrogen peroxide and formaldehyde but failed to act on it despite having ‘proof’,” he explained.
“After we wrote to the Chief Minister, Rajenthra Bhalaji accused our association of being unregistered and claimed I was sold out to these private manufacturers. So we are taking him to the court over this matter of defamation,” said Ponnusamy.
“The minister, who is in such an important post, is constantly making wrong accusations. He needs to apologize to all of us and quit from his post,” Ponnusamy said.
On May 24, the Minister said, “It is only due to the consumption of milk of private firms that many children are afflicted with various diseases including cancer. I am collecting reports from various sources. I don’t want to ban all the private producers without proper proof. Once I get the reports I will confront them with the proof and take action.”
