KARACHI – Despite the government’s fixed retail price of fresh milk at Rs 60 per litre in the city, the citizens are still being forced to pay at least Rs 66 for a litre of milk. With the beginning of summer and the hot weather in full swing, the consumption of fresh milk has increased considerably for making yogurt and the traditional milk-derivative cold drink ‘lassi’.
While in the absence of any administrative controls over commodity pricing, the retailers have also jacked up the price of yogurt to Rs 88 per kg against the previous rate of Rs 80. Though the provincial and city governments had claimed taking stern action against the milk sellers charging excessive prices, it has failed to control the spiralling price that the dairy retailers have increased unilaterally since April 11.
Karachi Dairy Farmers’ Association had enforced the new price for milk citing increases in the price of petroleum products and other commodities, besides high rates of milk-producing buffaloes and a shortage of animals. Earlier, Administrator Karachi Fazlur Rehman had said that fresh milk would only be sold at Rs 60 per litre fixed by the government.
He asserted that it was not possible to allow the milk sellers to ascertain the prices on their own, as only the government fixes the rates for utility items, after taking into consideration all ground realities. However, despite their claims no government rules are being followed in the markets to check upon the prices of the essential items.
The failure of the government clearly indicates that both the sellers and dairy farmers are openly challenging the writ of the government. It is worth noting that the City District Government Karachi had recently held a meeting, which was attended by Administrator Karachi, EDO Revenue Roshan Ali Sheikh, EDO Enterprise and Investment Promotion Dr Saifur Rehman, EDO Municipal Services Masood Alam, CPLC Chief and Consumer Rights Council Ahmed Chinoy and Consumers Forum Chairperson Huma Bukhari among a good number of representatives of milk sellers and consumer associations, to discuss the issues regarding milk prices.
It was observed at the meeting that the milk production cost as calculated by the dairy farmers was fairly more than its actual cost and it was decided to fix the price of fresh milk at Rs 60 per litre. According to sources, however, a large number of milk sellers and their representatives had not attended the meeting held at the Civic Centre, which was chaired by the city administrator.
