3rd hike in 2 years: Nandini milk & curd prices up by Rs 4 per litre in Karnataka from April 1

BENGALURU: Consumers in Karnataka will pay more for Nandini milk and curd from April 1 as the state govt Thursday announced a Rs 4 per litre hike in their prices. The govt has discontinued 50ml milk incentive per litre, which was granted when the price was last increased by Rs 3.
The price revision is the third in less than two years. KMF raised milk prices by Rs 3 in July 2023, Rs 2 in June 2024, and by Rs 4 now.
Now, the price of toned milk will rise from Rs 42 to Rs 46 a litre. Govt justified the decision, citing the need to support dairy farmers in the wake of increasing production and processing costs.

"Steps will be taken to ensure the hike amount (Rs 4) directly reaches milk producers," said animal husbandry minister K Venkatesh and cooperation minister KN Rajanna, along with Karnataka Milk Federation chairman Bheema Naik, at a press conference.
Acknowledging the burden on consumers, Rajanna said, "KMF will now pay farmers Rs 35.60 per litre," Rajanna said, adding the price of a cow has nearly doubled to Rs 75,000, while fodder and maintenance costs have similarly doubled. Farmers had sought a Rs 5 per litre hike.
Despite the revision, the minister said milk price in Karnataka continues to be one of the lowest in the country.
The minister duo admitted that Rs 490 crore in production incentives for farmers remains pending. "Of the Rs 690 crore balance, Rs 200 crore was cleared last week," Rajanna said, referring to schemes introduced by former CM BS Yediyurappa and revised by the incumbent, Siddaramaiah.
In a post on X, BJP Karnataka called the move anti-poor, stating the cost of daily essentials is skyrocketing. "Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress leaders are busy with honey-trap scandals. Farmers have been waiting for milk subsidies for years, but the government prioritises Waqf compound renovations, instead."
BJP state unit president BY Vijayendra said the govt, struggling to manage the five guarantees, has been continuously raining misfortune on common people, calling it "daylight robbery".