GUWAHATI, May 9 � Strongly resenting the steep hike in milk prices, the Consumers� Legal Protection Forum has sought intervention of the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup Metro on an urgent basis.
Ajoy Hazarika, chief coordinator of the Forum emphasized that the price hike is unacceptable as it is a unilateral move on the part of the milk producers and suppliers.
�Before going for any increase in price, the producers and suppliers should have discussed the matter with district administration and citizens� groups, which did not happen on this occasion,� he said.
On May 4, he pointed out, milk suppliers raised the price of milk by Rs 3, which took the price to Rs 30 per litre. It was in May last year that another hike of Rs 5 had taken place. �We find it unacceptable that milk price can go up by Rs 8 within a year,� he stated.
The Forum referred to the Consumer Protection Act of 1986, and mentioned that arbitrary price hike is a gross violation of the Act.
A letter asking for immediate intervention has already been submitted to the DC�s office in this regard and the Forum is hopeful that necessary action will be taken.
It may be mentioned that milk prices in Guwahati are higher compared to prices in many other cities in India. In New Delhi quality milk from Mother Dairy is available for Rs 26 per litre. In Bangalore city, which has high income groups like in the capital city, standardised milk is available at prices less than Rs 28 per litre.
