Amidst protests by opposition BJP, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday inaugurated an ultra modern mega Omfed dairy plant at Arilo in Cuttack district.
Set up at a cost of Rs 263 crore, the plant is the biggest one in the State having a capacity to process five lakh litres of milk per day. It would produce various milk products such as milk powder, cheese, paneer and butter.
The CM said, “Omfed belongs to our farmers and is the contribution of over three lakh people of the community. It was established with an aim to protect the farmers’ interest. This plant will help millions of milk producers and enhance their income capacity.”
Patnaik also attended a public meeting held on the occasion in presence of Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra and Minister Arun Sahoo, among others.
Though tight security was put in place for the CM’s programme, workers of the BJP and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) hit the streets at different places in the district prior to his visit.
BJP workers staged a protest near Trisulia Chhak on the city outskirts reiterating their demands for dismissal of Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra for his alleged link in the schoolteacher Mamita Meher murder case and justice to the deceased girl.
Police detained many of the activists to avoid any unpleasant situation. Another group of BJP workers staged stir near the Sri Sri University at Naraj over the same issue.