Belagavi: The Centre's decision to close down all military dairy farms across the country has not gone down well with many NGOs and other organisations which are exerting pressure on the government to revoke its orders. Of all the military farms set for closure, Belagavi's military farm run by Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre (MLIRC) is the second oldest, set up by the British in 1889 and currently houses about 700 cattle.
The right-wing Sri Rama Sene launched a protest in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Belagavi opposing the closure of MLIRC military farm on Wednesday. During the protest, leaders of the Sene including Pramod Mutalik and others highlighted the significance of the farm established during British rule and said it had been one of the oldest farms in the country which was running effectively for many decades catering to the needs of thousands of military personnel.
While threatening to intensify their agitation if the productive farm of MLIRC was closed, the Sene leaders said the Centre should immediately revoke its decision considering the benefits of the farm. The farm has been providing cow's milk to soldiers for a long time on a regular basis both in the Army and Air force units of Belagavi. Since 1889, it has housed thousands of cattle regularly with the current number of cattle being 700, they said, adding that about 3000 lts of milk generated each day at the farm caters to the needs of many soldiers and also supports hundreds of families.
According to sources, it's the second oldest military farm in the country after the one in Allahabad, which was started in 1890.
The proposal was pending for the last five years, and the Ministry of Defence has recently ordered winding up of all farms that were set up long ago during British rule.
