Decision on milk prices taken by state federations: Pawar

New Delhi, March 22 : Asserting that his ministry had nothing to do with hiking milk prices, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar Monday said it was the state milk federations that had decided to raise the prices.

"It is the decision of state (milk) federations," Pawar told reporters when asked about the milk price hike particularly in major cities like Delhi.

Pawar did not say whether his ministry was planning to control the rise in price of milk.

Delhiites, who are already battling rising food prices, got a rude shock Saturday as Mother Dairy, one of the biggest suppliers of milk in and around the capital, raised its price by Rs.2 per litre.

Mother Dairy said the hike was forced by an increase in procurement prices.

As per the revised rates, a polypack of full cream milk now costs Rs.30 per litre against its existing price of Rs.28. Toned milk, which cost Rs.22 a litre, will now cost Rs.23 a litre.

Pawar also refused to comment on the petroleum ministry's reported move to further increase the price of petrol and diesel.

The minister, who was targeted by the opposition as well as the ruling alliance for the rising prices of essential commodities, said so far he has no information about the fuel price hike.

"If the petroleum ministry takes any such decision, then I will react," Pawar said.