Minister pooh - poohs media sensation
Milk powder price hike

by Ananda Kannangara
The price of all brands of milk powder was increased by the importers
recently. The Sunday Observer last week sought the views of the Minister
in charge and also the general public on this issue.
Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Affairs
Minister Bandula Gunawardana refuted claims that the recent price
hike in every major products in the world market including crude oil,
milk powder had gone up by a meagre 10 per cent and not more as
allegedly reported by certain media.
He blamed certain print and electronic media for acting in an
irresponsible manner.
"We admit that the price of milk powder has gone up, but not what has
been quoted in certain media, which has misled the general public,"
He also asked consumers to purchase milk powder from either the
Laksathosa outlets or at the co-operatives where welfare packets are
freely available at cheaper rates.
The Minister pointed that the hike has been allowed only for a period
of two months and by then a new price structure will be announced.
An owner of a three wheeler Palitha Senaratna was not happy
with the increase from Rs. 17.00 to Rs. 34.00.
"We are the poorest of the poor and we earn very hard for our daily
bread, so, when the price goes up like this, what is the plight of our
infants?,".
He wants the authorities to look into this humanitarian situation. A
mother of two, Deepthi Priyadharshani put the blame squarely on
the Trade Ministry for not coming down hard on the milk powder importers
for the unreasonable increase.
"I earnestly request President Mahinda Rajapaksa to personally
intervene into this matter and direct the milk powder importers and
other relevant authorities to grant a considerable relief to the poor
consumers,"
A father of three, Pathberiya Wimalasena of Hanwella was
furious when he spoke of the price hike said that not a single
government in the past had allowed a free hand to increase the prices,
that too, by a big margin.
"Even the previous Government did increase but only by a small figure
between Rs. five to seven."
A. Gunadasa of Avissawella defended the Government as it is
helpless to do anything and to dictate terms to the world market.
"So, I will not put the blame on the Government, but the authorities
too should care for the 70 per cent of the population who find it
difficult to make ends meet and consider a subsidy on milk foods."
The price increase was a hit for low income groups living in urban
areas and not the villages where fresh milk is freely available, he
said.
A resident of Embilipitiya, Munasinghe Dissanayaka wanted the
Government to introduce a rational scheme for the benefit of children
under fifteen.
"Then, at least the powder can be sold to the needy at reasonable
prices through the system,"
Ashroff Gulzar Khan in Colombo said the Government could
easily provide a subsidy if they stop their unnecessary expenditures.
"I propose to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to hold a dialogue with all
his ministers and explain the economic situation in the country,"
"Thereafter, cut down on the ministerial portfolios up to forty
whereby large sums of money, spent on their respective staff and their
security could be utilised to grant a subsidy on milk powder,"
A tea estate owner and a landed proprietor Nelson Samaranayaka
of Baduraliya was not happy with the price increase, considering the
pathetic living of workers in his tea estate.
"It is a pity that infants and small children in my estate are given
milk only once a day due to the high cost".
"After this price hike, the situation is bound to become worse, and
therefore I appeal to the authorities to grant a subsidy, thinking of
the poorest in our society,"
A 56-year-old school teacher Sudharman Samarawickrema of
Yatinuwara Veediya, Kandy asked all milk powder importers and
distributors to refrain from giving undue publicity to their products by
spending millions through print and the electronic media every year and
instead utilise that colossal sum to off set the price increase.
A retired Government Agent, Sakwith Gunathilaka said "Actually
speaking, the Government could grant a subsidy to both fuel and the milk
powder, provided they take measures to save money, by cutting down on
the extravaganza."
"I appeal to all the Parliamentarians to table a resolution to
abolish the Provincial Council and the Pradeshiya Sabha system for
which, the Government at present, spends a huge sums to maintain the
members, security, staff and their vehicles,".
"This saving could be diverted for a subsidy on milk powder and the
fuel".
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