The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) on Tuesday hiked milk prices by Rs 2 per litre while also offering consumers an extra 50 ml for every 500 ml and 1,000 ml packet. Following this revision, a 550 ml packet of Nandini’s toned milk (blue) will cost Rs 24, and the 1,050 ml packet will be priced at Rs 44.
The milk price hike, the second in less than a year, will come into effect from Wednesday, the KMF said. In July 2023, the KMF had hiked prices by Rs 3 a litre.
However, the prices of other KMF products such as curd and milk-related items remain unchanged.
In a statement, KMF reasoned that the price hike was on account of the growing storage cost for milk. “As it is the current harvest season, the storage of milk in all district milk unions is increasing every day and the current storage is close to one crore litres. In this background, the price of each packet is being increased by Rs 2/litre – with an additional 50ml of milk being given to the consumers only for each half litre and one litre packet,” the KMF said.
KMF also said that consumers will continue to get milk packets with the old quantity and old rates printed on them till the stock is exhausted.
Defending the price hike, KMF said that Karnataka’s milk prices are comparatively lower than other states. It stated that milk prices are Rs 52/litre in Kerala, Rs 54 in Delhi, Rs 56 in Gujarat, Rs 56 in Maharashtra and Rs 58 in Andhra Pradesh.
Now, homogenized toned milk will cost Rs 24 for 550 ml and Rs 45 for 1,050 ml; special milk and Shubham milk will be priced at Rs 27 for 550 ml and Rs 50 for 1,050 ml; homogenized Shubham milk will cost Rs 27 and Rs 51 for 550 ml and 1,050 ml respectively; Shubham gold milk will cost Rs 28 for 550 ml and Rs 51 for 1,050 ml; and double toned milk will be priced at Rs 23 for 550 ml and Rs 43 for 1,050 ml.
The BJP criticised the move to hike the milk prices, dubbing it “anti-people”.
“The @INCKarnataka government, known for its relentless price hikes, is now set to increase the price of milk, making it more difficult for common households to afford milk. This move neither benefits the poor nor improves the livelihoods of farmers who depend on dairy farming and animal husbandry. The price of Nandini milk has been increased by Rs 2.10, from the current rate of Rs 42 per litre. The Congress government, which is playing with the lives of the people of this state, has lost the moral right to continue in power. The BJP’s people-centric struggle will continue until this anti-people government is brought down,” Karnataka state BJP president Vijayendra Yediyurappa said on X.
Opposition leader in the Assembly and senior BJP leader R Ashok said, “To celebrate the anniversary of the imposition of the Emergency, the @INCKarnataka government is perversely enjoying a Rs 2 per litre hike in Nandini milk prices. Chief Minister @siddaramaiah, since you came to power, you have increased the price of milk twice in just 13 months. Last August, the price was increased by Rs 3, and now it has been raised by another Rs 2. The poor and the middle class in the state are already reeling from the rise in petrol and diesel prices and the skyrocketing prices of vegetables. In such a situation, you have once again rubbed salt into the wounds of the poor by raising milk prices. If you have any compassion for the poor and the middle class, immediately withdraw the milk price hike order.”
