Milk, yogurt prices surge after fuel hike
Following an increase in petrol and diesel prices, residents of Rawalpindi have been hit with another surge in the prices of milk and yogurt on Labour Day.
Efforts to control rising costs of red flour, fine flour, LPG cylinders and powdered milkreportedly increased by 500 to 800 per centfailed after negotiations between Nanbai Association leaders and the chief minister's price control adviser Salma Butt collapsed.
As a result, an increase in prices of roti, naan and paratha is also expected.
The Gujjar (milk sellers) union and Fresh Milk Union jointly raised prices, increasing milk by Rs30 per litre and yogurt by Rs40 per kg. Milk is now being sold at Rs250 per litre, up from Rs220, while yogurt has risen from Rs240 to Rs280 per kg in the open market.
A union representative said the price of buffaloes has increased from Rs450,000 to Rs1.5 million over three years, while fodder and feed costs have surged by up to 700 per cent, making the price hike unavoidable.
However, the district administration stated that official prices for milk and yogurt are fixed and warned of action, fines and challans against those charging higher rates.