India, April 23 -- Local dairies in Ludhiana have announced a Rs.5 per litre increase in buffalo milk prices from May 1, a move residents say will further stretch already rising household expenses.

Under the revised rates, half-cream buffalo milk will increase from Rs.65 to Rs.70 per litre, while full-cream buffalo milk will rise from Rs.75 to Rs.80 per litre. The hike was announced by the Hambran Road Dairy Association, which represents around 550 dairies, following a joint meeting with members of the Tajpur Road dairy complex. The latter is also expected to take a call on similar revisions in the coming days.

Association chairman Parminder Singh Bobby said milk prices are typically revised by Rs.2-3 per litre annually, but this year's...