Kathmandu, January 3
Following widespread criticism, Dairy Industry Association (DIA) has finally rolled back its decision to hike the price of milk, albeit 'temporarily'.
The DIA has agreed to revoke the price hike of milk during a meeting held here today with representatives of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), and Livestock Development Department, Acting Executive Director of NDDB Balak Chaudhary informed The Himalayan Times.
"After series of meetings since the last three days, DIA has finally agreed to withdraw its decision," Chaudhary said.
"Now, milk price will be adjusted by forming a committee in coordination with the board, and the committee will prepare a report by scientifically studying all aspects, including cost to farmers, market price and consumers' purchasing power, " he added.
Meanwhile, President of DIA Rajkumar Dahal told THT that the association has only put off the milk price hike until January 29.
"We've agreed to postpone the price hike after the government bodies agreed to make suitable adjustment to milk price. And we've given them an ultimatum on this," Dahal added.
Less than a year since the last price hike, the DIA had unilaterally increased the milk price by Rs 14 per litre from Rs 86 a litre on December 31.
On February 11, the milk price had been increased between nine rupees to Rs 14 per litre, depending upon the fat content.
As per the National Dairy Development Act and Policy, the market price of milk can be adjusted only every two years.
The DIA's decision was met with massive backlash, with the National Consumer Forum even lodging a complaint against the price hike at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 4, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
