Now, milk to burn hole in pocket

Prices rise by up to Rs 3
Now, milk to burn hole in pocket
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 17
The decision of major dairy producers in the state to increase the milk prices by up to Rs 3 per litre with effect from May 16 has left Jammuites reassessing their monthly budget.

The hike has been a cruel blow to a common man, as the petrol prices have also hiked by Rs 5 this week only. After petrol, now people will have to shell out more to buy milk and milk products as Surya and J&K Dairy Producers, Processing and Marketing Cooperative Union Limited have increased its milk prices by up to Rs 3 per litre.

With this rise in milk prices, the prices of milk products, including ghee, butter, curd and milk powder are also likely to be increased. Surya has already revised retail prices of their products in the area with effect from May 16. As per company officials, Surya packed standard milk would cost Rs 31 per litre, toned milk Rs 27 per litre and double toned milk Rs 25 per litre.

The price rise is due to hot weather conditions, there is acute shortage of milk at present as production capacity of milk in animals decreases in summers, added the company officials. “Hike of Rs 2 per litre in milk prices is too much to digest for common man like us. The petrol prices have also increased recently and now the milk pries shot up, it has affected our monthly budget,” said Narinderjit Singh, a resident of Nanak Nagar here.

He added, “I don’t know how I will manage? The prices of essential commodities like vegetables and fruits have also hiked and it has become a difficult task to meet the daily chores.”

Similarly, Rita Sharma, a housewife, also expressed her concern over the increased prices. “There is only one option left with us to minimise the use of petrol and milk, as the prices have been touching the sky.”