The Bihar State Milk Cooperative Federation Limited (Comfed) has increased the prices of all varieties of milk and other dairy products by Rs2 to Rs4/litre under its brand Sudha from Thursday, inviting sharp criticism from the residents, who are already hard-pressed due to rising prices of other essential commodities.
The Comfed officials attributed it to rise in fuel and fodder prices, input and operational cost. They said the rate of milk procurement from livestock owners has also been increased by Rs2.32/litre.
Sudha Cow milk cost has been increased from Rs43 to Rs46/litre and of Sudha toned milk from Rs41 to Rs43/litre. Sudha double-toned milk has been priced at Rs40/litre, Sudha standard milk at Rs49/litre, tea special at Rs43 and full cream milk at Rs56/litre.
The rates of paneer, milk cake, gulab jamun and balushashi have also been increased by Rs4.
Nitin Choudhary of Ashiana Nagar said it was unfair to increase the milk prices. “We are already burdened with the rise in prices of household essentials,” he said.
“The prices of milk products had been increased in February this year and again they have revised the rates. The household budget is already in a mess due to rise in fuel prices, foodgrains, vegetables and fruits. How will we increase our immunity, if we constantly cut the household budget,” said Dipti Sinha of Gardanibagh.
Shanti Devi from Bhattacharyya Road area said all essential items of daily use have become costlier. “The government should think about common people,” she said.
The state bakery association has recently increased the prices of different types of bread by Rs2 to Rs5 per packet. Sandwich bread of 175gm is now available at Rs15 per packet. Prices of multigrain and brown bread has increased from Rs35 to Rs40 per packet. Pav is now being sold at Rs22 and fruit bread at Rs20.
