Mangalore: For the third time Raviraj Hegde Kodavoor was elected unanimously as the president of Dakshina Kannada co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd (DKMUL) on Monday, June 9.

A.C. Renuka Prasad, district officer, backward caste welfare department, election officer, declared that he has been elected President unopposed.

Raviraj Hegde only one candidate filed the nomination. 19 had participated in the election of 21 directors including one nominated director.

The new directorate board will take charge on July 3, 15 other directors were elected for a period of five years in the elections.

Speaking in press conference after being elected, Raviraj Hegde said he would work to further improve the quality of milk provided to the customers and also take steps to increase milk procurement. While the procurement of milk was at 3.08 lakh litres, there was consumption of 3.47 lakh litres. Of the 3.47 lakh litres, raw milk consumption alone was at 2.97 litres. With measures namely subsidy for maintaining calfs and providing nutrients at subsidised cost the DKMUL will be self sustainable in three years in meeting the milk demand.

Raviraj said the new unit to provide milk in flexi pack, which was being installed at a cost of Rs. 32 crore, will start functioning from next year. The new unit would help in providing milk that will have longer shelf life. They will start with production of 60,000 litres under the flexi pack.

After completion of the flexi pack unit, he said the DKMUL would take up construction of new dairy plant in Manipal.

There was no scope of expanding the present plant, which has capacity of producing 80,000 litres per day, to meet the growing demand for milk in that region.

The DKMUL already has land in Oppur that has been purchased a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore.

An amount of nearly Rs. 45 crore was needed to set up the new plant that will have capacity of handling 2 lakh litres per day.

Dr. B.V. Satyanarayana, managing director of the federation was present during the press conference.

Ravindra Kambali, Harish Achar, president, Directors of DK district co-operative union and others congratulated the new president.