Milk unions cry foul as federation hikes prices

In a development that could spell trouble for milk unions across the state, the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the apex organisation of the 13 milk unions of Gujarat, has decided to hike the prices for its members by 50 paise per litre. The GCMMF supplies milk to the member dairies which have lower procurement. The hike, the second in the past two months, became effective from today.

“The GCMMF has raised prices for the dairies which buy milk from federation,” said Malabhai Rabari, chairman, Surendranagar District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd.

The GCMMF’s move is likely to face stiff opposition from the milk unions, who purchase milk from the federation on a daily basis. “We will move court if the GCMMF does not withdraw the hike,” said Madhu Shrivatsava, chairman, the Vadodara District Milk Marketing Federation, which is popularly known as Sugam Dairy.