KARACHI, Dec 5: The city government has decided to retain the wholesale and retail rates of fresh milk, mutton and beef prevailing in the month Ramazan despite reservations expressed by the dairy farmers.

The fresh milk has been openly sold at Rs30 per litre for the last few months despite efforts of the city government, which ultimately proved a failure in providing any relief in price to the consumers.

On Tuesday, detailed deliberations were held between the stakeholders of the milk business and senior officials, comprising Executive District Officer Enterprise and Investment Promotion (E&IP), Syed Hassan Naqvi, in-charge price checking and Additional EDO Revenue Matanat Ali Khan. However, meat merchants’ body representatives did not turn up for the meeting.

Syed Hassan Naqvi said that the city government had decided to retain the rates after physical analysis of all the ingredients involved in working out the wholesale and retail prices of fresh milk per litre. The milk rates (Rs26 and Rs28 per litre at wholesale and retail stages) were notified in April, 2006 but these were not implemented after the holy month.

He said that the farmers and retailers had some reservations in implementing the new rates. “We will now ensure their implementation,” he said adding that the rates retained at the Ramazan level will continue to be effective till further notice.

Matanat Ali Khan said that as soon as he received the letter from the EDO E&IP regarding the continuation of previous prices, the officials having invested with magisterial powers will start inspection in the market to ensure that the retailers and wholesalers comply with the orders. He said that the milk sellers were not ready to sell at the reduced rates.The mutton and beef rates notified on September 19, for mutton No 1, No 2 and No 3 quality were Rs240, Rs230 and Rs220 per kg, respectively. Rates for beef with bones and without bones were notified at Rs110 and Rs140 per kg, while rates for veil (bachia) meat No 1, 2 qualities were notified at Rs135 and Rs130 per kg.

Joint Secretary Dairy Farmers Association of Karachi, Dr Rafiquddin Babar said that the government had not done any homework to check the rising input cost that resulted in increasing the cost of production.

The price of some essential feed ingredients like cottonseed cake has flared up to Rs725 per 50 kg, rising by Rs125 in the last few days. The current price of wheat bran is Rs320 per 35 kg, which was Rs205 last year.

Wheat straw price has risen to Rs185 per 40 kg as it was available at Rs80-90 last year. Green grass now sells at Rs105 per 35 kg. He added that the officials are unaware of the ground realities.

People in Karachi consume over six million litres of fresh milk while the total production of milk is four million litres. The rest of the demand is met by powder and tetra milk.