DPIIT signs agreements with five companies to support startups

An increase in milk prices is expected in Maharashtra. Starting on Tuesday, August 11, the cost of both cow and buffalo milk will rise by 2 rupees per liter. This decision was made after approval from representatives of major cooperative and private dairy farms.

According to the information, this resolution was adopted at a meeting of the 'Milk Producers and Processors Welfare Association'. Gopalarao Mhaske chaired the meeting.

The association reported that the price hike is due to an increase in diesel fuel costs by 10 rupees per liter, as well as an approximate 30 percent rise in packaging expenses. Furthermore, the purchase price for milk has increased, and further growth is anticipated.

Given the rising costs, the Association decided to raise the selling price of milk by 2 rupees per liter, and the prices of dairy products by up to 10 percent. The new rates will come into effect on August 11.

Meanwhile, counterfeit milk is actively being sold in Maharashtra. The Maharashtra FDA Department continues to take action against this. Inspections are conducted daily in over 20 locations. To date, more than 1131 inspections have been carried out, during which products worth about 49.57 crore rupees were seized, and about 1.6 lakh liters of suspicious counterfeit milk were found.

Recently, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Control Department of Maharashtra (FDA), Tukaram Mundhe, made several shocking statements regarding synthetic milk. He stated that some people prepare fake milk and mix it with real milk for sale.

In one podcast, the commissioner explained that some use components such as skimmed dry milk powder, chemicals, emulsifiers, caustic soda, and even shampoo to create a mixture that is externally indistinguishable from real milk. Such a product is significantly cheaper than natural milk.

Commissioner Tukaram noted that synthetic milk resembling cow's milk can cost around 15 rupees per liter, while buffalo-like milk prepared in this manner can cost approximately 30 rupees per liter.

Several weeks after the launch of the new centralized IT system (CITES) in July, which was intended to improve convenience for members through accelerated automated claim settlement, field staff across the country found themselves 'on their own' dealing with a growing number of incomplete applications. This was stated by the EPF Employees Association (EPFOA) in a letter to the Minister of Labor Mansukh Mandavi.

EPFOA claims that, contrary to expectations that most claims should be settled within 2–3 days, hundreds of thousands of automated applications remained in the system for over 20 days without explanation to either field offices or the members themselves.

However, EPFO rejected these claims, stating that the transition was carried out with minimal disruption to service provision, and the temporary increase in unresolved cases is due to the migration to the new corporate platform.

Government officials reported that the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) percentage for UPI transactions will be a nominal amount and will only apply to a limited group of merchants when conducting transactions exceeding a set threshold.

At the same time, the government seeks to assure users that all peer-to-peer transactions will remain free, and consumers making payments will not face any charges.

It was noted that an MDR ranging from 0.25% to 0.4% may be permitted for UPI transactions exceeding the sum of 2000 rupees, while an upper limit for this commission is being established.

This change is viewed as part of the government's broader goal—ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of India's digital payment infrastructure and its ability to serve the country's rapidly growing digital economy.