Chandigarh – Representatives of the Milk Plant Association and Milk Plant Owners of the state met Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini today and expressed their gratitude for the decision to reduce the interest on delayed milk cess payments, including penalties, from 2% compound interest per month (24% per annum) 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 on this occasion.
It is noteworthy that, in a significant move to promote the state's dairy sector, the Haryana Cabinet, chaired by 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 met with the Chief Minister and requested an amendment to the existing rules to alleviate the financial burden on milk plants across the state. This amendment will bring significant improvements in the dairy sector by reducing the financial pressure on milk processing industries, ensuring smooth operations and promoting overall development.
Under the new provisions, any delayed payment of fees or cess—along with any penalties—will attract simple interest at the rate of 12% per annum, starting from the due date of payment. The defaulting amount will only be considered to have been paid after both the principal amount and the interest have been paid. This amendment is set to provide a major fillip to the dairy industry, enhancing the operational ease for milk plants and supporting Haryana’s position as a key player in the milk processing industry.
On this occasion, Vice-President of the Haryana Milk Plant Association Sh Vipin Gupta, Sh Gyan Prakash Gupta from Karnal Dairy Milk Food Limited, CEO of Vita Ambala Sh Rakesh Kumar, Devender Punia from Sabar Dairy Rohtak Amul, Baljeet Reddu from Lakshya Dairy Jind, and representatives from various other milk plants were also present.