MUMBAI
Currently, one litre of pasteurised cow milk is sold at Rs24 and the richer variety between Rs29 and Rs35. Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said that a hike in milk prices was imminent.
Wheat, pulses, sugar and now, milk. It’s time to rejig your household budget again as bad news on the prices front keep streaming in. Milk prices in the city are set for a nearly 10% hike in a couple of months from now.
Currently, one litre of pasteurised cow milk is sold at Rs24 and the richer variety between Rs29 and Rs35. Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said that a hike in milk prices was imminent. While he was referring to the milk availability situation in north India, consumers in Maharashtra have to brace for a hike as procurement is poor in the state too.
“We are facing insufficient availability of milk, especially in northern India. Today there is a demand that we should hike the prices,” he said at a state animal husbandry and dairy ministers’ conference. “I do not know whether the states will be able to procure [milk] to meet the demand without a price hike.”
Milk producers in the state attribute the increase to a slump in milk production, particularly in rural India. They say this is the first time that milk production in Maharashtra is in shortage during the “plus period”, usually the cooler months between November and March.
“The monsoons have been irregular for the last couple of years,” said Vinayak Patal, president, Mahananda Dairy. He said that the prices of cattle food, comprising grass, jowar, corn and other essentials have increased in the last couple of months. “This has resulted in farmers not feeding the cattle well, which is affecting milk production.”
Milk distributors said milk production across the country has been low. “A price hike is inevitable,’’ said T Raju, a milk distributor in central Mumbai. The hike is likely to be in the range of Rs2, which is about 10% of the existing prices, distributors said.
Apart from milk, the prices of dairy products such as butter and cheese have also gone up in the last six months. Unfortunately, they are likely to go up even further.
While Pawar, already under attack from his political opponents over surging prices of sugar, dismissed suggestions that he was for an immediate hike in milk prices, political opponents have already pounced on the statement. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati termed his statement “irresponsible’’ and sought his removal from the agriculture ministry.
“Such irresponsible statements have only given an opportunity to hoarders to jack up prices while the people are suffering due to shortages and steep prices,” she said.
Pawar’s statement came on a day the BJP took its attack on rising prices to prime minister Manmohan Singh. The BJP delegation, which met the prime minister at his residence, asked the government to demonstrate a willingness to control prices. It was headed by former home minister LK Advani and included new party president Nitin Gadkari among other senior leaders.
“The need of the hour is for the government to have a comprehensive food pricing and management policy,” said the BJP memorandum.
India announce squad for New Zealand Test series, Jasprit Bumrah named vice-captain
Tamil Nadu train accident: Mysuru-Darbhanga Express crashes into goods train, several feared injured
DNA TV Show: All about JPNIC controversy and why it's causing political tension in Lucknow?
NC's Omar Abdullah meets LG, stakes claim to form J-K government, swearing-in ceremony on...
IND vs BAN, 3rd T20I: Predicted playing XIs, live streaming details, weather and pitch report
Sharjah-bound Air India Express flight with 150 onboard safely lands in Trichy after reporting…
IND vs BAN, 3rd T20I Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs Bangladesh
Combined wealth of India's 100 richest individuals, for first time in 2024, surpasses Rs...
Ozonetel Acquires CloudConnect Communications
Noida Police announce traffic diversions for Dussehra celebrations: Check key routes to avoid
Ratan Tata's millennial friend Shantanu Naidu and his midnight surprise for the industrialist
Indian speedster Mohammed Siraj takes charge as Telangana DSP
Mukesh Ambani’s Diwali dhamaka offer: Get free AirFiber for one year, unlimited internet; here's how
Oil Ignores War: Why Markets Are Calm Amid Middle East Chaos
Amitabh Bachchan receives birthday wishes from Ajay Devgn, Prabhas, Rajinikanth, Kajol, Navya
PAK vs ENG: Pakistan become 1st team to lose Test match by an innings despite scoring 500 plus runs
Noel Naval Tata: Check educational qualification, family tree of new Chairman of Tata Trusts
Rupee hits all-time low against dollar, know why Indian currency fell, which one's strongest
Here's how Shantanu Naidu's midnight birthday surprise for Ratan Tata left him 'visibly awkward'
Nobel Peace Prize 2024 awarded to Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo for...
An Ila Arun blockbuster launched THIS actress in Bollywood, everybody in her family is a star
Amid divorce rumours, 'Flying Beast' Gaurav Taneja and Ritu Rathee reunited for daughters?
When PM Modi's one-word SMS to Ratan Tata brought Nano to Gujarat
PM Modi holds bilateral talks with his Laos counterpart Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane
Meet man, who is behind over 9% surge in Bandhan Bank share price today
Narayana Murthy's next BIG step, Infosys to no longer send job offer letters, the company will...
Vettaiyan Box Office Day 1: Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan's film earns Rs 30 cr
Vishal Tinani awarded for Legal Excellence by Sachin Pilot
Your FAVOURITE car doesn't have steering wheels or pedals, is priced at Rs...
Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma deletes post on Ratan Tata after backlash, he said…
Ratan Tata became favourite customer of THIS Mumbai newspaper vendor due to...
Late Ratan Tata talks about his romantic relationships, 'Seriously four times'
Harbhajan Singh predicts this star player will attract bidding war in IPL auction, he is...
TCS mourns the death of veteran industrialist Ratan Tata in this post
'You're not a…': Nitish Kumar Reddy reveals what Gautam Gambhir said before 2nd T20I vs BAN
Bigg Boss 18: Pookie Baba Aniruddhacharya apologises for appearing on Salman Khan show
Mukesh Ambani BEATS Gautam Adani to take top spot on THIS list, his net worth jumps to...
Amitabh Bachchan mourns Ratan Tata's death, writes 'an era...'
'Goa', Ratan Tata's pet dog, bids him emotional goodbye
Happy Maha Ashtami 2024: Top 10 best wishes, messages to share with your loved ones on Durgashtmi
At least 22 killed in airstrikes in central Beirut, 117 injured
Manager sues this bank for Rs 416711420 after getting fired due to...
One flight made Amitabh Bachchan 'Sharaabi', changed his life, made him superstar
Centre declares Hizb-Ut-Tahrir as terrorist organisation for involvement in...
Forbes Billionaires list: Mukesh Ambani gets richer by Rs 23088 crore
Meet man who began his career at SBI, now set to lead Rs 30246 crore company as...
Amitabh Bachchan's Bombay To Goa was FIRST offered to Rajiv Gandhi
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope spots Jupiter's great Red Spot shaking like...
'It was my...': Javed Akhtar REVEALS reason behind his failed first marriage with Honey Irani
Dawood Ibrahim is scared of me, says Bigg Boss 18 contestant Gunratan Sadavarte
Who is Zarin Daruwala, Standard Chartered's India CEO set to retire in April 2025?
Madhura Naik recalls family's encounter with Hamas militants, says 'it was...’
Big setback for India as Rohit Sharma may miss first Test of Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia
Vijayta Pandit says Kumar Gaurav's family got him married to Namrata Dutt: 'He loved me immensely'