KARACHI, Sept 25: The Dairy Farmers Association (DFA) has assured the city government that milk prices would not be raised during the holy month of Ramazan even if oil prices were increased. This was stated by DFA General-Secretary Rafiquddin Babar while talking to PPI while commenting on the city government’s pledge of taking appropriate action against hoarders and profiteers in order to control price and supply situation during the holy month.

Mr Babar maintained that members of his association, wholesalers and retailers, were not in a position to offer any discount to consumers as they were already bearing losses. Any further cut in the prices of dairy products would derive them to bankruptcy, he added.

He pointed out that retailers were getting milk at Rs24.93 per litre. It had been decided with the consent of farmers, wholesalers and retailers that current milk price would not be increased during Ramazan.

“Prices are decided on yearly basis and no cut is possible for a specific period of time during the year,” he said, adding that the dairy prices announced through a notification in 1998 had been followed over the next four years.

He said that the campaign launched against dairy dealers during the tenure of the previous city government had been uncalled for.

Mr Babar said that it was only after four years that an increase in milk prices was effected in 2002 in view of situation prevailing at that time. “No political or religious party is motivating us,” he clarified, stressing that the allegations in this regard were baseless.

Regarding the negotiations between the DFA and city government, he said that EDO enterprise and investment had approached the association for further talks. However, he added, the DFA had already apprised him of its position.

City government officials on Sunday told PPI that although the ordinance or notification regarding magisterial powers to DDOs, TMOs and revenue officials enabling them to control prices and curb profiteering/ hoarding was intended to be issued, no precise date could given at this stage. Yet, he added, it would hopefully be issued before the start of Ramazan.—PPI