Milkmen increase prices of milk, yogurt

Rawalpindi

The city milkmen without permission have increased prices of milk and yogurt even before summer season. The local milkmen have issued price list of milk and yogurt by own here on Friday. 

The interesting thing is that in price list issued by city district government, Rawalpindi 1-kilogram milk is Rs70 while yogurt at Rs75.

However, according to price list issued by local milkmen, unpacked fine quality milk will be sold at Rs105 against Rs100 per litre, middle quality milk will be sold at Rs90 against Rs85 while low quality milk will be sold at Rs75 against Rs70. Similarly, 1-kilogram yogurt will be sold at Rs100 against Rs90-95. The home delivery milkmen also informed families to arrange money according to new price list issued by milkmen.

Rawalpindi Milk Retailers Association, senior representative, Munir Ahmed Gujjar, admitted that they have increased prices of milk and yogurt. The daily milk consumption especially in summers increases manifold including demand of packaged and un-packaged milk and yogurt, he claimed. He also said that there was no local milk in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. “We bring milk from far off areas to meet demand of supply here in twin cities in summer,” he added.

It is worth mentioning here that milk and yogurt prices increased continuously in two years. The milk prices have been increased by Rs30 to 35 while yogurt prices by Rs20 to 25.

Earlier, the fine quality milk was being sold at Rs65 to 70 per litre and yogurt at Rs75 to 80.

According to a survey conducted by ‘The News’, the milkmen have unilaterally started selling milk at shops on increased rates. Some vendors who claimed that they sold only pure milk have also been fleecing the customers.

It is pertinent to mention here that there is no proper price control system in the city as the milkman like suppliers of other commodities particularly of daily use items have been given a free hand and the departments concerned are taking no appropriate action in accordance with the law. The shopkeepers are fleecing the customers by charging exorbitant rates of their products.

Muhammad Rehmat, another representative of milkmen said that revision of prices was a dire need of the hour in wake of price hike on all fronts. “We have demanded Rs5 to Rs10 increase, which has yet to be agreed by the city district government,” he added.

Muhammad Manzoor, a resident of Adiala Road said that milk is necessary for everybody particularly for children. But, skyrocketing rates not allowing us to buy milk, he said. He also said that milkmen are flexing muscles to loot public in summer season. 

The citizens criticised the increase in milk and yogurt prices, asking the authorities concerned to intervene into the matter to save them from profiteers.

Additional District Collector General (ADCG) Imran Qureshi has warned milkmen to sell commodity on fixed prices issued by city district government. He assured to take immediate action against profiteers. He told ‘The News’ that price magistrates are continuously taking strict action against profiteers.