It is learnt that the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which markets its dairy products under the Amul brand, on Tuesday increased the price of three brands of Amul milk by Rs 2 per litre. The increase in price appears to be ill-timed as we enter the festive season of Ganesh Chaturthi. Milk happens to be a staple diet for all sections of society irrespective of the economic class they belong to. Increase in the price of milk will have a negative impact on poor families, especially with regards to the nutritional requirements of children, elderly citizens, expectant and lactating mothers. Milk is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium. Nutritionists recommend that people have milk and other dairy products, such as yoghurt and cheese, every day as part of a balanced diet. It is true that the farmers need to get a fair price for the milk that is produced in their dairy milk farms. The government needs to help the farmers bear the cost of milk production so that the extra cost is not passed on to the consumer.
