Spotlight
New Delhi, 20 March 2007
INDIA TOPS IN MILK PRODUCTION
NEW DELHI, March 21 (INFA): India ranks
first in the world in milk production, which rose from 17 MT in 1950-51 to
around 100 MT by 2006-07 according to official figures.
The per capita availability has also increased from 112
grams in 1968-69 to 230 grams per day in 2005-06 and is expected to reach about
245 grams per day in 2006-07.
Presently, about 1.13 lakh village level co-operative
societies spread over 265 districts in the country form part of the National
Milk Grid.
The Grid links the milk producers throughout India with
consumers in over 700 towns and cities smoothing the seasonal and regional
variations in the availability of milk, and ensuring a remunerative price to
the producers and a reasonable price for quality milk and milk products to the
consumers.
Almost an equal quantity of milk is handled by the
cooperative and private sectors.
Consequent to de-licensing of the dairy sector in 1991, the Milk and
Milk Products Order (MMPO) 1992 promulgated under the Essential
Commodities Act, 1955, continues to regulate the milk sector. As per the
provisions of this order, any person/dairy plant handling more than 10,000
litres per day of milk or 500 MT of milk solids per annum has to be registered
with the registering authority appointed by the Government.
Post-liberalization, private entrepreneurs as well multinational
milk products companies have made investments in the dairy sector, especially
in putting up manufacturing facilities.
Investments in the cooperative sector, however, are concentrated largely
in milk procurement and processing.
Under the Integrated Dairy Development Project, 73 projects
with an outlay of Rs.407.58 crore and spread over 25 States and 1 UT have been approved.
Cumulative expenditure incurred upto to end-March 2006 was Rs.274.33 crore.
By March-end 2006, the programme had benefited 10.56 lakh
farmers through 16,469 village-level dairy cooperative societies procuring 13.6
lakh litres of milk per day.---INFA
SOARING CEMENT
PRICES
HYDERABAD, March 21 (INFA): The Andhra
Pradesh Government will have to pay about Rs.1,000 crore extra on its projects
because of the soaring prices of cement.
The Irrigation Department will have to pay an additional
Rs.700 crore for the Jalayagnam dams burden while the housing and other
Departments have to spend an additional Rs.300 crore, according to official
sources. They are of the view that it is an artificial hike created by the
cement companies.
The Department dealing with roads, hostels and school
buildings will have to pay an additional Rs.100 crore.---INFA
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