Karnataka hikes Nandini milk prices by Rs 8 to Rs 54 per litre; Rs 7 to go to farmers

The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved a Rs 8 per litre hike in Nandini milk prices, with the revised rates coming into effect from November 1. Of the total increase, Rs 7 will go to dairy farmers and Re 1 to milk cooperatives, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said after the Cabinet meeting.The price of basic toned milk, currently sold at Rs 46 per litre, will rise to Rs 54.Explaining the decision, Gowda said farmers had been facing a crisis, prompting members of all parties in the Legislative Council to call for measures to support them.Milk producers had also staged protests, while cooperatives had pressed for a price revision. "Respecting these demands, the Cabinet has today decided to increase the price paid to milk-producing farmers by Rs 7 per litre. In addition, the cooperatives will receive an increase of Re 1 per litre. Thus, the total increase will be Rs 8 per litre," news agency PTI quoted the minister as saying.He added that the proposal had been discussed at two or three Cabinet meetings and that the decision was taken unanimously. Farmers and cooperative representatives had initially demanded an increase of at least Rs 10 per litre during meetings with the Chief Minister and ministers concerned with animal husbandry and cooperation."Although farmers demanded an increase of Rs 10 per litre, it was felt that so much increase cannot be done," Gowda said, explaining that the Cabinet settled on an Rs 8 hike after deliberations.- Ends