Milk retailers have demanded that Aavin milk packets be uniformly priced for consumer cardholders and retailers.
Aavin (Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation) presently sells a litre of toned milk at Rs. 24 through consumer cards, and at Rs. 27 a litre in the market. There is a difference in the prices of other milk variants, too.
Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers Welfare Association State president S.A. Ponnusami said this would help weed out bogus consumer cards. Over 7 lakh litres of milk are being sold through cards in the city.
“Many retailers, too, sell above MRP since there is a vast difference between the prices of Aavin and other private brands. In toned milk, the difference is Rs. 14 per litre. Also, there are retailers and wholesalers who have cards in bulk,” he said.
A milk industry-watcher however said if this demand was heeded by the State government, Aavin cardholders could soon expect prices of milk to go up. “The difference in these amounts only leads to a section of retailers and wholesalers earning. Instead, if the prices are increased, milk-producing farmers will at least benefit. As it is the farmers are demanding that the procurement price be increased. It is high time that the government goes in for a price revision and make a provision for a marginal increase in consumer card prices,” he said.
Consumer activist T. Sadagopan said that in the interests of the milk producers, consumers would accept any increase in prices without protest. However, a gradual increase would not tax consumers, he added.
The city consumes around 11.50 lakh litres of Aavin milk a day and private milk brands supply another 11.50 lakh litres a day.
