Edappadi K Palaniswami hints at Aavin milk price hike

Chennai: Chief Minister Mr Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday hinted that the price of 'Aavin' milk to consumers in the state could go up.

“I agree that milk procurement price (for dairy farmers) should be increased, but at the same time milk price for consumers should also be increased proportionately,” Mr Palaniswami said intervening in the debate in the Assembly on the demands for grants for Milk, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry departments.

To flag the issue was the DMK member, K P P Swamy, who contended that a hike in the procurement price of milk by 'Aavin' was long overdue as the cost of cattle feed and maintenance of cattle has gone up, more so in the backdrop of the water shortage in many parts of the state.  

At that stage, the Chief Minister intervened and urged that opposition parties should not politicise the issue and the government after due consultations with all concerned decide on the price issue after the current session. He said any hike would be done without affecting the people at large, as only then milk cooperative societies could function smoothly.   

Later, replying to the debate, the Fisheries minister, D. Jayakumar said that Sri Lanka had arrested 100 fishermen from Tamil Nadu in recent months and then released them in phases. But still there are five fishermen and 33 fishing boats to be freed. The State government was taking steps to release them, he added.