Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, known by the brand Milma, today rolled out 30 specially-designed ice cream vending carts, named ‘Milma Mili Cart’, manufactured by public sector automaker Kerala Automobiles Limited (KAL).
Minister for Industries, Shri P Rajeev, launched the e-vehicles by handing over the key to Milma Chairman, K S Mani, at a function held at KAL plant at Aralummoodu near Neyyattinkara, here. The Minister also flagged off the 30 vehicles on the occasion.
The three regional unions of Milma – Trivandrum Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union (TRCMPU), Ernakulam Regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (ERCMPU) and Malabar Regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (ERCMPU) – will get 10 carts each.
Lauding Milma for its initiative to partner with KAL, the Minister said Milma may give further orders for 70 carts based on the performance of these vehicles. “The government aims to strengthen public sector undertakings (PSUs) and make them competitive and profit-making enterprises. Since 2016, the government has given Rs 58 crores to KAL in various phases. Despite financial constraints, KAL was given Rs 11.30 crores last year and Rs 11.50 crores this year.”
Milma Chairman said amid various challenges, Milma was able to register a turnover of Rs 4,500 crore in the last financial year. “Around Rs 253 crore from the net profit was given to dairy farmers in the form of cattle feed subsidy and additional incentive on the procurement price of milk. In short, Milma earmarked 98.5 per cent of the net profit for dairy farmers last year. Our priority is to sustain farmers in the sector and attract more people to it”.
He also informed that as part of women empowerment, a project of selling Milma products at the doorstep of 941 panchayats in Kerala, which also ensures employment for 941 women, is in the pipeline.
Milma MD, Asif K Yusuf and KAL Chairman, Pulluvila Stanley, were also present on the occasion.