Vijaya Dairy too sweet to let go

Hyderabad: A fresh row has erupted between TS and AP for control over common institutions listed under Schedule IX of AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. Both states have lodged complaints with the Centre against each other over control over government-run Vijaya Dairy. Following the complaints, the Centre has summoned officials of TS and AP to New Delhi on Wednesday to resolve the bifurcation of 90 institutions listed under Schedule IX.

Though the AP Dairy Development Corporation is yet to be completely bifurcated between AP and TS, both the states are functioning independently by setting up their own units. Trouble began with the APDDC giving the business rights to sell Vijaya Dairy products to a private dairy firm in Mahbubnagar. The TS government has strongly opposed this saying that APDDC had no jurisdiction over Telangana. However, AP dismissed these claims saying that when other states were selling dairy products in TS and AP, why could it not do the same.

TS is continuing with the ‘Vijaya’ brand, saying that the brand belongs to the state, though the units have been functioning independently. AP too is still selling dairy products under “Vijaya” brand. TS’ claims that the brand belongs to Telangana in its jurisdiction is disputed by the AP government.

AP argues that the brand continues to be with AP and insists that TS use another name. AP has also been insisting that joint bank account transactions continue till APDDC is bifurcated completely. Though the Centre had constituted Sheela Bhide committee for bifurcation of Schedule IX institutions, it failed to complete the process during its one-year tenure that expired last year. The tenure was not extended later. With no clarity over the bifurcation, each state is trying to take control over these institutions leading to financial and legal problems.