Patna: The Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation (Comfed) has increased the prices of all Sudha milk variants by Rs 2 to Rs 4 per litre and by Re 1 to Rs 2 for 500 ml packets, with the revised rates coming into effect from May 25. The hike has triggered plans for price increases at roadside tea stalls and raised concerns among homemakers over rising household expenses.Under the revised tariff, introduced to offset rising cattle feed and operational costs, Sudha Gold will now cost Rs 68 per litre, while Sudha Shakti and cow milk variants will be priced at Rs 60 and Rs 57 per litre respectively.Comfed officials said procurement prices paid to cattle rearers had increased by Rs 2 to Rs 3 per litre, along with higher expenditure on raw materials, packaging and transportation. Around 15 to 16 lakh litres of milk are sold daily in Bihar, with the pink-packaged cow milk variant remaining the most popular, officials added.Residents and small business operators reacted differently to the price rise, though many said it would directly affect their monthly budgets.Ankit Pratap Singh of Gaighat, who buys Sudha Gold daily, said he had expected the increase because of rising fuel prices and would now reduce spending elsewhere to balance his expenses.Juli Raj of Vidhayak Colony, who purchases 2.5 litres of cow milk every day, said she would adjust her household budget, but added that lower-income families could face difficulties due to the increase.In Boring Road, homemaker Sunita Rai said she would have to reassess her monthly expenses to manage the additional daily cost of milk.Tea stall owners also said the hike would immediately affect their businesses. Jamal Road tea stall owner Jugal Rai said he planned to increase tea prices by Rs 2 per cup to compensate for higher milk and LPG costs.Another tea seller, Abhishek, however, expressed confidence that customer demand would remain stable despite the increase.Comfed has also revised prices of several other dairy products. Mishti Dahi and plain Lassi prices have gone up by Rs 2, while paneer, ghee and sweets have become costlier by Rs 10 to Rs 20.The steepest increase was recorded in 500 gm table butter, whose price has been raised by Rs 35.
