According to P Ramakrishnan, president of the Tamil Nadu Primary Milk Cooperative Society Retired Employees’ Association, a central government pension scheme was established in 1995. However, less than half of the primary societies in the state have enrolled, leaving a vast number of employees without a pension. Those who are registered receive a meager monthly pension ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,374 ($12 to $28 USD), which is a clear piece of data journalism that underscores the inadequacy of the current system.

The demand for a pension highlights a long-standing issue in the agribusiness sector and a crucial aspect of dairy economics. While the retired employees see it as a right, a managing director from the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation Limited stated that there is no dedicated fund for such a program and the special bylaws do not include pension provisions. However, he also noted that the feasibility of providing pensions could be explored if employees are willing to contribute to a dedicated fund.

Beyond financial benefits, the retirees have also requested a series of other provisions, including a daily allotment of 500 ml of free milk, along with sweets and ghee during festive seasons. These requests underscore the deep-seated cultural and professional ties the employees have to the dairy industry and their desire for a greater degree of care and recognition after a lifetime of service.