Chennai

It is said that the procurement price of milk in TN has increased but no such steps were taken in Andhra, but the private dairies have sent circulars to vendors in TN mentioning the price hike of up to Rs 4 for milk and Rs 6 for curd.

“The increase in milk prices of private dairy units is condemnable as this is the third such increase within a year. The price of milk sold by private companies in TN has gone up considerably in the recent years affecting the hotels, teashops and restaurants that deal with milk and dairy products,” Ponnusamy said.

Heritage, Arogya, Dodla, Tirumala, Sangam and Jeppiar are the companies that have planned to increase the milk price by next week. Aavin is a minor player in the State catering only to 16.6 per cent consumers. But when the private players increase the milk price, the ripple effect will affect the milk industry, Ponnusamy said. The State government should take adequate measures to control and regulate the price of private milk dairies in TN. Such a regulation would help both the milk vendors and the public.

However, cattle owners and farmers have welcomed the State government initiative to increase the procurement price of milk. “The cost of all other eatables has surged by several folds and the basic drinking water is sold at Rs 20 per litre, but there is always a debate when the milk prices are revised,” said S Kumar, a farmer based in Tiruvallur. Those who own cattle are still not rich and do not have bungalows, the hike is just going to help them to maintain their cattle better. With the fodder cost and maintenance of cows becoming difficult, milk business is tough, he added.

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