Maha govt to meet milk distributors, ask them to reduce cost

Maharashtra government today informed the Legislative Council that it has called a meet of milk distributors next week, where they will be advised to reduce their extra expenditure so that prices of milk can be further decreased.
While speaking during the question hour, NCP MLC Vidya Chavan then said the government should exercise control over agents and that farmers don't even get Rs 5-7 for their milk.
"Be it vegetables, fruits or milk, it is only the distributors who are earning big money. Farmers finally get nothing. It is the farmer who takes care of his animal and does all the work. He should be getting more money," she said.

In his reply, Dairy Development Minister Eknath Khadse said that milk distributing companies have been asked to buy milk for at least Rs 20 per litre from farmers and that there have been no complaints on farmers getting less than that amount.
"If we do receive complaints, we will take action against such companies. At the same time we have directed these companies to reduce their prices by atleast Rs 2, so that consumers can benefit," Khadse said.
He further said that milk distributing companies claim that they spend a lot of money on additional expenses like chilling of milk and can thus not reduce prices of milk drastically.

"We have called a meeting of milk distributors next week where we will advise them to reduce their additional expenditure so that they can further reduce prices," Khadse said.
He said that milk processing units are also being encouraged to reduce their additional expenditure and if any company is found to be selling milk at rates of Rs 60-70 per litre, and if the government receives complaints, action will be taken.