Come Monday, milk will cost more

After sugar, it is now the turn of milk prices to spiral upwards. While cow’s milk will go up by Re1 per litre, buffalo’s milk will cost an additional Rs2 per litre from Monday (February 8). Milk producers in the state announced the increase on Wednesday.

Both cooperative and private milk producers held a meeting in Pune where the decision to increase the prices was taken. The meeting was chaired by president of the Pune Zilla Sahakari Doodh Utpadak Sangh Maryadit (Pune District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation Ltd) Ramesh Bhujbal. Representatives of 60 prominent milk brands including Chitale, Rajhans, Gokul, Parag, Sonai, Warna, Prabhat and the Baramati Taluka Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh Ltd were present.

“Cow’s milk will cost Rs25 per litre from the existing Rs24 and buffalo’s milk will be available at Rs30 per litre from Rs28,” Bhujbal said. He cited the cost of fodder and dairy farmers’ demand as a reason for the hike.

“When the government raised the purchase price, private and cooperative milk federations too raised it. In fact, our purchase price is 50 paise more than the government’s,” Bhujbal added. He said the purchase price for cow’s milk was up from Rs12.50 to Rs13.50 and for buffalo’s milk it had gone up from Rs16.20 to Rs18.20 per litre.

Meanwhile, the milk producers in the state have mooted the idea of setting up Maharashtra Milk Marketing Board to regulate the milk prices in the state. The milk producers are going to submit a memorandum demanding the constitution of such a board at the state level.

The proposal would be sent to the state government soon to set up such a board. The board would have to co-ordinate and monitor the purchase and sale of the milk so that rates would be uniform throughout the state.