SKM MLA attacks SDF over its claim of producing organic milk

SNS, Gangtok, 3 August 2014: Dr Mechung Bhutia, MLA from Rumtek-Martam, who has continuously   criticised the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front over its ‘organic’ claims, raised doubts over reliability on Sikkim’s much touted ‘organically produced, scientifically processed’ milk. He said the claims made by the government can be false or misleading.  

The Sikkim Milk distributed across the state is labelled as organic, however Dr Mechung  claimed the production plant at Tadong does not have the essential equipment that check hazardous components in the milk like antibiotics residual hormones (Oxytocin) and the fortified feed history of the mulching cows. “I visited Sikkim Milk Union at Tadong on Friday and on enquiring over the organic certification of milk, I  was informed that they were instructed to give the organic certification by the higher/highest authority, said Dr Bhutia.  

“Moreover, when the State is procuring more than 12000 kg of milk from non-organic state like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, how can the government claim the Sikkim Milk of being organically produced and scientifically processed,” questioned Dr Mechung.  He further said that the milk procured from neighbouring states are from commercial dairy farm and not organic farms. 

“Chamling had claimed the Union Minister during his visit to the state that Sikkim is self sufficient in poultry products, milk and milk products, but in reality the state imports huge quantity of milk and  poultry products” he added. Dr. Mechung further said that the people are not only being misguided, they are also kept in the dark about the adverse effects of the milk treated with the oxytocin causing hormonal behavioural changes in men.