Burden on common man, say Left, Cong; dairy justifies the move
Both Congress and the CPI(M) cadres hit the roads on Sunday criticising the move of the Krishna District Milk Producers’ Mutually Aided Co-operative Union Limited to hike the milk price from May 1.
The activists gathered at Bhavanipuram and at the milk factory and blocked the traffic for a while protesting that the move would burden the common man.
The union, while citing several reasons for the price hike, said that the low fat milk would be sold at ₹42 per litre (200ml packet ₹9) while the economy (toned) will be sold for ₹44. “The other rates are Vijaya Premium ₹48, Vijaya Special (mixed) ₹52, Vijaya Gold ₹54 and Vijaya cow milk ₹48,” said Managing Director Babu Rao in a release.
No shortage
According to sources, for milk unions April to September is considered lean period for production which would pick up after October when the cattle begin to give birth to calves.
Usually demand for milk increases in summer season due to less production. For this summer, the Vijaya Dairy management has made necessary arrangements in well advance to meet the demand.
The Krishna milk union currently has been collecting 1.75 lakh litres of milk per day from different societies in the district but the consumption has gone up to 2.70 lakh litres.
Sources said at present there was no shortage of milk and hence there was no worry for consumers. “The union has made all arrangements for supply of milk to consumers in Vijayawada and Krishna district up to September. It is buying one lakh litres from Ongole and Bangalore.”
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/milk-price-hike-by-vijaya-dairy-triggers-protest/article18346467.ece