A significant debate has emerged between the dairy federations of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regarding the quality of the iconic ‘Vijaya’ brand ghee. Gutha Amith Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Limited, raised serious allegations concerning the purity of Vijaya brand ghee being sold in Telangana. Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh responded promptly to these concerns, assuring a thorough investigation and random quality testing to safeguard consumer health.
Key Allegations Raised by Gutha Amith Reddy:
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Adulteration Claims: Amith Reddy cited reports from the CALF lab of the NDDB (National Dairy Development Board), which allegedly found traces of vegetable fat (β-sitosterol) in the ghee. He claimed this poses a serious health risk to consumers.
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Franchise Model Criticisms: He pointed out that the AP Dairy Federation has franchised the brand to a private firm, Meghana Foods, which sources ghee from a dairy in Gujarat. Amith Reddy argued that this model benefits private players rather than local farmers, effectively “selling the brand name” without supporting the rural economy.
Nara Lokesh’s Response and Directives:
Minister Nara Lokesh took to social media to address the issue, stating that the AP government has taken these concerns into account. He directed the APDDCF (Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development Cooperative Federation) to:
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Initiate random market sampling and testing of the ghee immediately.
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Obtain the specific CALF-NDDB test reports from the Telangana Federation for verification and further action.
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Ensure that there is no compromise on quality, regardless of the marketing model.
The ‘One Nation – One Market’ Perspective:
While addressing the quality concerns, Lokesh defended the right of state federations to market products across borders. He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “One Nation – One Market,” asserting that any state’s products should be allowed for sale anywhere in the country. However, he emphasized that while market boundaries are open, the Andhra Pradesh government remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and will take strict action if any irregularities are confirmed after reviewing the lab reports.
