Chennai: Milk costlier by Rs 10 a litre from tomorrow

Amid protests by opposition parties,the Rs 10 per litre hike in the milk price effected by Tamil Nadu Government comes into force from Saturday.

While the Left parties and the BJP on Friday held protests against the hike across the state against the hike in the price milk sold by state-owned brand 'Aavin', DMK has announced its protest on Monday.

"The rise in milk price is anti-people. While we are reducing fuel prices in the Union Government, the state government is increasing milk prices. While the procurement price is increased only by Rs three, the sale price is hiked by Rs 10 which is unfair," BJP state President Thamizhisai Soundararajan said spearheading her party's protest here.

In Madurai, CPIM workers held a demonstration in front of the Aavin office protesting the steep hike in milk price.

Wearing a garland made of Aavin milk sachets, they shouted slogans against the government and tried to picket the Aavin office. Police arrested 60 protesters, including 16 women.

Principal Opposition DMDK too had opposed the government's move saying it was against the interest of the people.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam last week announced the rise in milk price, following demands from milk producers to increase the procurement price.

He had said that the government was forced to hike the price of one litre toned milk from Rs 24 to Rs 34.

In view of the hike, the price of tea, coffee and other milk based beverages are likely to go up later.

However, tea shops have not revised their tariff of tea, coffee and other beverages. At present, a cup of tea and coffee cost Rs seven and eight respectively in Chennai.