Karnataka Government Approves Nandini Milk Price Increase by Rs 4

Synopsis

The Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government has decided to increase the price of Nandini milk by Rs 4 per litre, responding to demands from farmers and the Karnataka Milk Federation. This change precedes the Ugadi festival and is expected to affect the prices of dairy products statewide.

Key Takeaways

Nandini milk price increased by Rs 4 per litre.
Effective before Ugadi festival on March 30.
Coffee, tea, and dairy product prices will rise.
Farmers demanded a hike of Rs 10 per litre.
Previous price was Rs 44, new price is Rs 48.

Bengaluru, March 27 (NationPress) The Siddaramaiah administration on Thursday announced an increase in the price of Nandini milk, distributed by the Karnataka Milk Federation, by Rs 4 per litre, taking into account the requests from the KMF and agricultural organizations.

This significant price adjustment comes just before the Ugadi festival, which is celebrated across Karnataka with much enthusiasm on March 30. As a result, the prices of coffee, tea, and all dairy products in hotels and sweet shops are expected to surge.

Recently, the state government faced criticism for raising Metro and RTC bus fares, in addition to revising power tariffs.

The demand for a milk price increase was originally set at Rs 5 per litre; however, the government opted for a Rs 4 hike instead.

The well-known blue packet of one litre of Nandini milk will now be priced at Rs 48, up from Rs 44.

On March 5, the Karnataka government indicated that it would raise the price of Nandini milk (KMF) in the state. “We will certainly increase the price of milk. A discussion on the exact amount will be conducted with the Chief Minister,” stated Minister for Animal Husbandry K. Venkatesh during the Question and Answer session in the Legislative Council.

He also mentioned that the government owed subsidies totaling Rs 656.07 crore to milk producers, with 9.04 lakh beneficiaries still awaiting payment. “We have requested the finance department to release the pending funds, and once that is done, it will be distributed to the beneficiaries promptly. Farmers are calling for a hike of Rs 10 per litre, and we will definitely increase the price of milk. The exact amount will be decided after discussions with the Chief Minister,” he added.

Milk federations throughout the state have been advocating for a price increase. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had previously opposed the hike but gave his approval during Thursday's cabinet meeting.

Protests demanding a milk price increase have been ongoing since February. The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Green Brigade have been urging for an increase in the milk procurement price to at least Rs 50 per litre, along with a call for an interim support price of Rs 10 per litre until the implementation of a Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The Karnataka government had increased the milk price state-wide by Rs 2 on June 25, 2024, which included an additional 50 ml of milk in each packet, leading to public discontent.