Milk prices have risen by Rs 4-9/litre in Delhi since 2009

A scene outside the Mother Dairy booth in New Delhi. The milk price went up by Rs. 4-9 per litre during the last two years in the Capital. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma.

Prices of different types of milk has risen by Rs 4-9 in the national capital since 2009, Parliament was informed today.

The price of double toned milk was increased four times with net increase of Rs 4 per litre during last two years and the current year by the Delhi Milk Scheme and Mother Dairy, Minister of State for Agriculture Arun Yadav said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

While prices of toned milk rose five times with net increase of Rs 5 per litre, full cream became six times costlier with net increase of Rs 9/litre during the period, he added.

In Delhi, double toned milk is selling at Rs 22 per litre, toned at Rs 25 a litre and full cream milk at Rs 33 a litre at present.

Though the Minister did not specify the reason for upward revision of milk prices, reports have attributed the spike to increase in input cost.

The Minister denied that milching animals in the country have decreased since 2008.

On steps taken to increase availability of fodder for the animals, Mr. Yadav said the government was implementing a Centrally sponsored Fodder Development Scheme under which funds are provided to States for undertaking fodder development activities.

In reply to an another question, the Minister said the Centre has approved a Rs 20.7 crore scheme under National Project for Cattle and Buffalo breeding Phase-II, for Karnataka for five years (2008-09 to 2012-13).