Residents protest the hike in the prices of milk and milk products in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

• Hike in milk price Rs 1.50 • Hike in paneer price Rs 2 • Hike in ghee price Rs 4

Patna, Feb. 1: The price of milk and milk products, which was hiked today, resulted in unrest all over the city.

The price of Sudha milk, a brand of Bihar State Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited (Compfed), has gone up by Rs 1.5. From housewives to political workers, all expressed displeasure at the state government’s failure to check the rising prices.

Supporters of CPI (ML) protested against the policies of the state government, burnt the effigy of chief minister Nitish Kumar and raised slogans against the animal husbandry and fisheries minister Giriraj Singh at Chitkohra bridge. The supporters said Singh had backed away from his word.

CPI (ML) state standing committee member Mirtuza Ali said: “The state government must roll back the prices. We demand the immediate resignation of Giriraj Singh. How can the government increase the price after giving assurances to the people of the state? Singh had assured there would be no hike in prices. He has backed out from his promise. Milk is an important staple, especially for small children. How will the poor afford to buy milk?”

According to the revised rates, one litre packet of Sudha’s full-cream milk will now cost Rs 27.5 per pouch instead of Rs 26. The rate of Sudha standard milk has gone up from Rs 24 to 25.5. The prices of Sudha Smart and Cow Milk have also gone up by Rs 1.5.

The price of milk products has also gone up. While the price of 100gm paneer has gone north from Rs 17 to Rs 19, the price of 200ml ghee has increased from Rs 50 to Rs 54.

Ali said: “This is a reason for great concern. We will not tolerate this. The chief minister, being the head of the state, should be made answerable for the sudden hike in the price of the milk products. The ministers are saying one thing and doing another. Singh had said the prices wouldn’t increase and now he is showing his helplessness.”

Another CPI (ML) member Ram Naresh Yadav said: “Singh is justifying the move saying that Compfed can take any step on their own as the body is an independent milk union. He says the state government can only request for a modification of prices. Such comments show the cowardly attitude of the government. The price of petrol, diesel and essential commodities are rising. The price of onion, which has touched Rs 65 has made situations worse. In addition to that, now the price of milk too has gone up.”

Worst-affected in the lot, the homemakers, are left reeling.

Richa Verma, resident of Patliputra Colony, said: “This decision has definitely overburdened our monthly budget. The day is not far away when we would have to drink tea without milk. In fact, we have to cut down serving tea to our guests and serve them black tea. We also have to cut down on making dishes like kheer.”

Shruti Kumari, another homemaker from Buddha Colony area, said: “It is very difficult to manage without milk. Earlier, I used to buy two packets of full-cream milk. Now it will no longer be possible with the prices touching the sky.”