New Delhi, Aug 31: Justifying its decision to import skimmed milk powder (SMP)up to 6,000 tonnes, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) on Sunday announced plans to build up a strategic reserve of skimmed milk powder, and said technical glitches had led to delay in imports by six months. It was also examining the need to import butter oil to tide order the current milk crisis in the country.
“NDDB has approached the government seeking a licence to import 6,000 tonnes SMP which is now readily available in the international market," said Chairman, NDDB, Amrita Patel.
She, however, did not reveal the likely quantity of butter oil imports and proposed reserves of SMP. Prices of SMP have shot up to Rs 100 a kg in the current month against Rs 70 in the same month last year.
She said the Board's plans are also guided by the fact that imports would enjoy lower duty under tariff rate quota permits of 15 per cent. Imports beyond that level face a 60 per cent customs duty.
Patel said strategic reserves would be consistent with the Board's twin objectives of upholding producers' interests and meeting consumer demand for liquid milk.
Bureau Report