Tamil Nadu - Salem   

A wake-up call?

R. Ilangovan

VERIFICATION: Officials from Labour Department checking the quantity of milk supplied in Salem.

SALEM: For many housewives in Salem town, the early morning sound that wakes them up is not the crowing of a rooster and the chirping of a bird. Instead they are used to the peels of sound from the bells fitted to the bi-cycles and mopeds of the milk wallahs.

These milkmen distribute the milk at the crack of dawn to the doorsteps while many housewives little know that they are being supplied lesser quantity.

While all other trades have been brought under the scanner of the Department of Labour, the milk wallahs till recently had enjoyed immunity from the grasp of law.

Salem town has nearly 10,000 such retail milk vendors operating in the wee hours and at odd afternoon hours on cycles and mopeds. They procure milk from private entrepreneurs and distribute them at the doorstep.

Special squads

A team of officials, led by Inspector of Labour, G. Mahalingam decided to ensnare those `eluding' milkwallahs who were guilty of short supply. On Wednesday, the `D-Day,' for the `Mission Milk' the officials set up special squads at various corners in the town to accost the vendors.

Their measures were checked and verified under the provisions of Standard of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act 1985 and whether they were ratified and stamped in time. Hold your breath: a total of 375 milk wallahs had been found guilty.

Sixty-six faulty measures were seized and legal action initiated. These raids were also conducted at Attur and Mettur too.

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