Chwnnai, Aug 24:
Tamil Nadu Dairy Development Minister Vijayalakshmi said the government would consider increasing the milk procurement price to ₹44 per litre after consulting Chief Minister Vijay.
The issue was raised in the Assembly during a calling-attention motion by DMK MLA E.V. Velu and AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami. Velu said farmers needed better procurement prices to ensure that milk was supplied to Aavin rather than private dairies.
Palaniswami said milk agents across Tamil Nadu were protesting, demanding a procurement price of ₹50 per litre for cow milk and ₹60 for buffalo milk. He urged the government to consider their demands.
Thali Ramachandran MLA also sought a hike, citing rising costs of cattle maintenance and feed. He said producers were seeking ₹46–48 per litre.
Responding to the demands, Minister Vijayalakshmi said Aavin was facing financial pressure due to administrative problems under the previous government and declining sales of dairy products. Despite the financial constraints, the Chief Minister had already increased the procurement price.
The current procurement price paid to producers is ₹41 per litre, she said, adding that the government would consult the Chief Minister and consider raising it to ₹44 per litre.