Karnataka hikes milk prices by Rs 2; BJP slams ‘anti-people’ move

However, the prices of other KMF products such as curd and milk-related items remain unchanged.

KMF, in its press statement, 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 – 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.

While the BJP criticised the move to hike the milk prices, dubbing it “anti-people”, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended the decision, saying there will be no increase in the price of Nandini milk as each milk packet will now contain an additional 50 ml of milk and the price will be proportionally increased for the increased volume.

“This decision by KMF aims to ensure that farmers’ additional milk production is not rejected at collection centres. Compared to last year, milk production in the state has increased by 15 per cent. Last year, the average daily production was 90 lakh litres, whereas this year, it has increased to an average of 99 lakh litres per day,” he said.

“To accommodate this surplus production and ensure farmers are not turned away, KMF has decided to increase the milk content in each packet by 50 ml, with only a Rs 2 charge for the additional milk…this decision by KMF aims to benefit the lakhs of dairy farmers and ensure the surplus milk directly reaches consumers,” he added.

He also highlighted that currently, the maximum amount of milk is being used for milk powder production. Approximately 30 lakh litres of milk are used daily to produce 250 metric tons of milk powder to meet the existing demand. “When our government came into power, the average daily milk collection in the state was around 72 lakh litres. We implemented a Rs 3 increase in the milk price, directing the additional funds directly to farmers, making dairy farming more profitable,” he said.

“Additionally, good rainfall this year has ensured ample green fodder for cattle. Due to these factors, milk production has now reached nearly 1 crore litres per day. To handle this increased production and ensure it is beneficial for both farmers and consumers, KMF has made this decision,” he added.

“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.”