KARACHI, Feb 21: The legal notice served by the Dairy Farmers Association for increase in milk prices from the existing Rs22 to Rs26 per litre was considered at a meeting held at the City District Government Secretariat on Saturday.

The meeting was attended among others by Abdul Rashid Baig, a representative of the City Nazim, Raeesuddin Paracha, EDO for E&IP, and Rashid Ikram, EO-III E&IP.

Abdul Hamid Wakeel gave his viewpoints in favour of an increase in milk price.

Dr Ghulam Hussain, DO for Livestock and a member of the Technical sub-committee, said the committee after a detailed survey and scrutiny concluded that there was no justification in the cost of production of milk per litre as worked out by the association at Rs26 per litre and the cost had been worked at Rs19 per litre.

The general secretary of the association said that irrespective of the decision of the authority, they were going to enhance the rates of milk to Rs26 with effect from March 1 as there was a great pressure from retailers, wholesalers, and owners of cattle pens.

The EDO, F&IP, informed the office-bearers of the association that if such an arbitrary enhancement was made, stern action would be taken against the profiteers under relevant laws and the CDGK was determined to establish its writ to ensure that the public was not fleeced by undue price hike by a group of profiteers.

On the suggestion of Ms Shamim Kazmi, it was unanimously decided by the committee that a joint visit of the technical sub-committee, the Dairy Farmers Association and the consumers would take place within four days to cattle pens to work out the exact cost of the milk per litre. - APP