COIMBATORE: With manual counters now shut, Aavin customers in Coimbatore have been unable to renew their monthly milk procurement card for April as the digital platform is affected by glitches.
Aavin closed its counter services at Gandhipuram, Ramanathapuram and Sundarapuram in January, while the counter in RS Puram was shut in March.
As a result, customers who were buying milk using the monthly card, have been forced to spend extra to procure Aavin milk.
Under the Aavin Monthly Milk Card scheme, customers can purchase milk at 50 paisa lesser for half-litre. If they purchase one litre, they can save Rs 1. To renew the monthly card, customers had to visit Aavin counters that were functioning in these aforementioned areas.
Now, Aavin has switched to a digital platform for these renewals. However, the platform is marred by technical glitches and customers have been unable to renew their cards.
SUV Raja, a customer from Thiruvalluvar Nagar in Ramanathapuram said, "I have been purchasing milk using the monthly card for over five years. I used to renew it through the Aavin app.
The renewal should be done before 28th of every month, and advance payment must be made for the quantity of milk to be purchased. I pay Rs 657 per month and save Rs 15 under the monthly scheme. For April, I tried renewing it from March 15.
However, the app did not work due to some technical glitch. I visited Aavin’s RS Puram office but the counter was closed. I could not renew it the first time and now, I am forced to buy it without any subsidy. I have been attempting to contact the Aavin administration, but they are not responding to calls."
An Aavin milk agent, on condition of anonymity, said, "Over 150 customers are receiving milk under the monthly card scheme through my booth. All of them are not able to renew their monthly card."
When contacted, Aavin Assistant General Manager (Marketing) Shanthi heard the issue and disconnected the call without any response. Despite multiple efforts, she did not respond. Aavin General Manager, Coimbatore, was also not available for a comment.