HARYANA NEWS : Representatives of the Milk Plant Association and milk plant owners from across the state met Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini today to express their gratitude for the decision to lower the interest rate on delayed milk cess payments, including penalties. The interest rate has been reduced from 2% compound interest per month (24% annually) to 12% simple interest per annum.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Sh. Raja Sekhar Vundru, and Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Dr. Saket Kumar, were also present during the meeting.
Notably, in a key initiative to boost the dairy sector, the Haryana Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, recently approved an amendment to Sub Rule (1) and (2) of Rule 21 of the Haryana Murrah Buffalo and Other Milch Animal Breed Rules, 2002.
The Haryana Milk Plant Association and milk plant owners had earlier approached the Chief Minister, seeking amendments to ease the financial burden on milk plants operating in the state. This amendment is expected to significantly benefit the dairy sector by reducing financial strain on milk processing units, ensuring smoother operations, and fostering overall growth.
As per the revised provisions, any overdue fees or cess payments, including penalties, will now attract a simple interest rate of 12% per annum from the due date. The outstanding amount will be considered settled only after both the principal and interest have been fully paid. This change is set to provide a significant boost to the dairy industry, facilitating better business operations for milk plants and strengthening Haryana’s role in the milk processing sector.
The meeting was also attended by Haryana Milk Plant Association Vice-President Sh. Vipin Gupta, Sh. Gyan Prakash Gupta from Karnal Dairy Milk Food Limited, Vita Ambala CEO Sh. Rakesh Kumar, Devender Punia from Sabar Dairy Rohtak Amul, Baljeet Reddu from Lakshya Dairy Jind, along with other representatives from various milk plants.