Tamil Nadu: Even week after festive season Aavin sweets remain on shelves

CHENNAI: Even a week after the festive season, Aavin is yet to complete the sales of sweets and 40 other products, which were prepared for Diwali and Aayudha Pooja.
According to an internal communication to deputy managers in and around Chennai, accessed by TOI, hundreds of sweets, murukku and mixture packets have remained accumulated, and they have been told to identify bulk wholesale dealers and retailers to whom these items can be sold on or before Friday.

Dealers, who usually distribute these products manufactured by Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation Limited (TNCMPF) to retail shops, said they were hesitant to place orders as the cost of Aavin products were higher compared to the market price and quality is low.
Aavin has denied these charges and said rates were fixed 20% less compared to the market price after studying the local conditions clearly but private players have the flexibility of offering discounts which TNCMPF as a government entity lacks.
Responding to pending stock, Aavin's managing director Subbaiyan said that unlike crackers, which have to be sold during the Diwali week, sweets manufactured by them have a longer shelf life (20-25 days) and selling them is a continuous process.
He also denied allegations that the deputy managers were compelled to sell off these food items and they were asked only to go about their job, which is to ensure that there was no shortage for Aavin products at any of the authorised retail outlets.
According to official data presented by the federation, Aavin manufactured and sold food items worth ₹80 crore last Diwali and they have set a target of ₹200 crore this year. But they have managed to sell stocks worth only ₹110 crore.