Milma Federation to recommend Rs 4 per litre increase in milk prices

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Milma Federation general body has decided to recommend to the state government a hike of Rs 4 per litre in milk prices. Milma Chairman K.S. Mani said the federation will urge the government to implement the increase before the Assembly election notification is issued.

Meanwhile, five members, including former Ernakulam Regional Chairman John Theruvath, boycotted the general body meeting held yesterday at the Milma headquarters. They protested that the agenda initially did not include the issue of milk price revision. The topic was later taken up for discussion during the meeting.

Members pointed out that milk prices have not been revised in the past two years despite rising production costs. They noted that the current situation is such that milk does not even fetch the price of a bottle of water.

John Theruvath said the Ernakulam Regional Union had earlier demanded a Rs 10 increase and had been assured that the hike would be in the range of Rs 4 to Rs 6 per litre. He added that they were promised the price revision would be implemented immediately after the three-tier panchayat elections. He clarified that the boycott was a protest against the delay in taking action on that assurance.

Other board members from the Ernakulam Union who walked out of the meeting are Sony Eetakkan, Paul Mathew, Joymon Vakkayil, and Ajesh Mohanan Nair.