Meat Products of India (MPI) should make a comeback

Back in the day, Meat Products of India (MPI) in Koothattukulam was a sprawling business entity and was bringing serious profit to the coffers. People had a certain confidence in MPI products and would make a rush to be in beelines during festival times to buy chicken, beef, mutton, pork and duck sold by the outlet. Albeit a tad high price range, people used to stick with MPI since they carried special care to not sell the meat of animals that are spoiled or diseased. This eased business for them and the rush never slowed down.

It is not surprising to see many old firms that towered in repute crumbling to pieces in a matter of years. Alas, the same has happened with MPI. 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.

If the current movement is to be judged, MPI will soon morph to become another KSRTC and will see the ruins with no way back to redemption. The fish and meat markets are highly competitive turf in Kerala. Many private lobbies might have finagled ways to sabotage the government institution(MPI) since it was gaining a serious foothold within Kerala.

However, it will be criminal to shower all blame on the private lobbies and not mention MPI's ineptness. Initially, animals were bought from farmers in Kerala. The officials then without any prelude, 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 frozen meat imported from North India also failed to match the needs of the public.

The newly built plant at Kulathupuzha has remained closed for a year while the one at Koothattukulam has not been properly utilized yet. It is a shame if the government decides to let rot a business that was once at the pinnacle of success. The government should intervene urgently and entrust competent people to bring this institution back to good standing among the public.