Milk price hiked in Karnataka

The price of Nandini milk is set to go up by ₹8 per litre in Karnataka. The State Cabinet took a decision in this regard on October 29 following a demand by farmers for hike in procurement price of milk. Of this, ₹7 will go to farmers, and ₹1 to Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).

The hike will come into effect on November 1.

Though dairy farmers had been demanding a hike citing escalation in input cost and the drought in Karnataka, a decision had been deferred because of the election code of conduct being in force owing to Legislative Council polls. The results of the polls were declared on October 27.

Following hike in milk prices, hotels are likely to increase their prices.

On October 14, the State Cabinet is learnt to have discussed the prospect of increasing the price of KMF’s Nandini milk by ₹8 per litre. While district milk unions had met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar seeking a hike, he had indicated that a decision would be taken in the Cabinet.

“The milk price is likely to be revised by ₹8. The revised price is expected to be implemented after the elections. There has been a demand to increase the procurement price since the drought situation had caused distress among farmers,” a senior Minister told presspersons.

MLC opposed hike

MLC and former chairperson of the Karnataka Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti had urged the government of Karnataka to reconsider the proposed hike in Nandini milk prices and also bus fares, citing the financial difficulties faced by farmers, labourers, and low-income households amid drought conditions.

In separate letters to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Mr. Horatti said the proposed increase in prices of essential services would add to the burden on people already struggling with rising prices and the impact of drought.

He referred to reports of a proposal to increase Nandini milk prices by ₹8 a litre and raise bus fares by 20% to 40% to offset losses incurred by State-run transport corporations. He urged the government to either withdraw the proposed hikes or restrict them to the minimum possible level.

“Milk and public transport are essential for every poor and middle-class household,” Mr. Horatti had said, adding that a steep increase in their prices would further strain household budgets.