Parag gets ` R10-crore grant, will start ice-cream production soon

LUCKNOW: Parag dairy would soon start producing ice-cream which will be sold all over the state.

Parag, which is a subsidiary of Pradeshik Cooperative Dairy Federation (PCDF), Uttar Pradesh has received ` 10 crore for modernisation of its plant from the state government.

“We will soon be competing with ice-cream giants like Vadilal, Cream Bell and Amul. What we can guarantee is best ice-creams because we have our own milk and other basic facili- ties in the state,” said a PCDF official.

The Parag plant was due for modernisation for long. That is why, after the allocation of ` 10 crore, the management has decided to start ice cream production by installing one of the most advanced plants, he added.

Presently, 90% of Parag products are sold through milk parlours in major cities. Most retail outlets also keep Parag ghee and butter while Parag milk booths keep indigenous products like curd, mattha, butter milk (chhachh), laddu, peda and paneer.

The dairy has also planned to modernise its outlets in various parts of the state capital.

DK Singh, general manager, Parag, said his company has always believed in quality products.

However, recently Parag was wrongly dragged into a controversy where some children had fallen ill after they were served toned milk last month, he said.

The test report of the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) said the toned milk had lesser fat content, but everyone knows that toned milk has lesser fat content. And with less fat, milk doesn’t become harmful, he added.