Rs 45 crore debt, no salaries; Meat Products of India(MPI) facing serious crisis

KOCHI: With more than Rs 45 crore loss in business, 60 outlets of Meat Products of India (MPI) in Koothattukulam faces a serious crisis and is on the brink of closing down. About 100 employees have not been paid for three months. Distributors are also awaiting payment. According to employees, unscientific reforms and wasteful expenditure are the cause of the crisis.

MPI products such as chicken, beef, mutton, pork, duck, mixed sausages, and cutlets were in high demand. But the loan repayment arrear including the interest rate from the Bank of India has reached Rs 3.75 crores stalling prospective business. To repay back, another loan has been taken from Kerala Bank at 10.5% interest.

MPI was started with the aim to sell meat products at a reduced rate to control the general market trends. However, in the current state of apathy, meat products through MPI are being sold at innumerable prices. According to basic norms, Chicken should be charged Rs 30-40 per kg, beef Rs 90-100, and pork Rs 70 per kg.

Initially, animals were bought from farmers in Kerala. The officials then signed contracts with Tamil Nadu farmers and bought animals from across the border. However, complaints started pouring in about the meat products lacking any taste. Buying pigs from farmers during the swine flu season also backfired.

The newly built plant at Kulathupuzha has remained closed for a year while the one at Koothattukulam has not been properly utilized yet.