Milk price hike proposal will be discussed in Cabinet: D.K. Shivakumar

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar with presidents of various milk unions in Bengaluru on Saturday. | Photo Credit: special arrangement The Karnataka Cabinet will discuss a proposal to increase milk prices before a final decision is taken, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Saturday.Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said presidents of district milk unions had met him and sought an increase of ₹12 per litre, of which ₹2 could be allocated to the milk producers’ societies.“We will examine the situation in neighbouring States such as Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, obtain reports and take a decision after reviewing the matter,” the Chief Minister said.Mr. Shivakumar said the milk unions were incurring losses at the existing price and that dairy farmers had been seeking an increase in the price. He said around 50,000 milk producers had demanded a hike.Earlier in the day, presidents of the district milk unions met the Chief Minister at his residence in Sadashivanagar and submitted a proposal seeking an increase in milk prices.Bengaluru Milk Union (BAMUL) president D.K. Suresh, Ballari Milk Union president Raghavendra Hitnal, Kolar Milk Union president K.Y. Nanjegowda and presidents of other milk unions were present at the meeting. KMF Managing Director S.T. Suresh and Administrator M.V. Venkatesh also attended.Financial difficultiesReplying to media queries, Mr. Suresh said milk producers had been seeking a price revision for the past five to six months, citing financial difficulties faced by dairy farmers.Pointing out that a proposal has been submitted to the government seeking an increase of ₹10 a litre, he said the pressure on milk producers had increased since the outbreak of the war in West Asia. “Several States with high milk production have already revised their prices. States such as Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra increased milk prices about four months ago, while Karnataka is yet to do so,” he said.Farmers seek interventionMilk producers have held protests and submitted memoranda to district administrations seeking an increase in the price. Producers from different parts of the State have also travelled to Bengaluru to press the government to consider their demand.Mr. Suresh said several legislators had raised the issues faced by dairy farmers and milk producers in the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.“You (media) remain silent when the prices of fuel and other commodities are hiked frequently. But when it comes to milk prices, there is criticism from all quarters. Despite the hike, our prices will remain lower than the private players,” he added. Published - September 26, 2026 07:53 pm IST