Hans News Service Vijayawada

TheKrishna District Milk Producers Mutually Aided Cooperative Union Limited (Krishna Milk Union), popularly known as Vijaya Dairy, has announced an increase of Rs 1 per 500 ml packet, or Rs 2 per litre, across seven varieties of milk with effect from August 10. The revised prices will be applicable to consumers from the invoice date of August 9, including monthly cardholders.

The latest revision comes after Vijaya Dairy increased milk prices by Rs 2 per litre in April following an increase in procurement prices paid to dairy farmers.

In a press on Saturday, Vijaya Dairy managing director Kolli Eswara Rao said the revision had become necessary due to a substantial increase in milk procurement costs, diesel and transportation charges, packing material costs and other operational expenses. He appealed to distributors, retailers and consumers to extend their cooperation to the cooperative dairy.

As per the revised price list, Gold milk will cost Rs 40 per 500 ml packet, up from Rs 39. Full cream milk will be priced at Rs 39, against Rs 38 earlier. Standardised milk will cost Rs 34, compared with Rs 33, while Toned milk will be priced at Rs 32, as against Rs 31. Double Toned will cost Rs 30, up from Rs 29, while Homogenised Full Cream milk and Tea Mate will be priced at Rs 37 each, compared with Rs 36 earlier.

Meanwhile, CPM leaders and cadres staged a protest and dharna at Lenin Centre here on Saturday, opposing the latest price hike.

Addressing the gathering, CPM state secretariat member Ch Baburao alleged that the state government was undermining the Krishna Milk Union to benefit Heritage and other private dairies. He questioned the need for another price hike within four months and said it would impose an additional financial burden on consumers.