Milk Price Hike: The festive season has begun in India, and there is talk that the common people might face another inflationary impact before the festivities peak. Milk producer associations in Karnataka are demanding an increase in milk prices by ₹8 per litre. The milk producer associations raised this demand during a press conference at the Bengaluru Press Club. A delegation from the milk union met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and proposed a hike of ₹8–10 per litre.
Milk producers have given the state government a three-day deadline to address the issue. They state that if a cabinet meeting is not convened to decide on their demand within this period, they may intensify their protest and march to the Vidhana Soudha.
‘Rates lower than Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu’
Suresh stated that cooperative societies in Karnataka are currently procuring toned milk at ₹35 per litre. In comparison, the procurement price is ₹41.50 in Andhra Pradesh, ₹41.80 in Kerala, ₹41 in Maharashtra, and ₹42.24 in Tamil Nadu. He also claimed that the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of milk in Karnataka is at least ₹12 per litre lower than in neighbouring states.
Why has the demand for a milk price hike arisen?
According to the Karnataka Milk Producers Association, farmers’ costs are rising, whereas the price they receive for milk has not increased proportionately. Currently, the government provides an incentive of ₹5 per litre to milk producers; the associations are demanding that this be raised to ₹8 per litre.
What would be the impact on the common people if prices rose by ₹8?
If the government approves this proposal, milk prices in Karnataka could go up. This could directly affect the budgets of families who purchase milk daily. Especially during festivals like Navratri and Diwali, the impact might not be limited to just packaged milk; prices of milk-based sweets, khoya (condensed milk solids), and other dairy products could also face upward pressure.
For now, a final decision from the state government regarding this demand is still pending. Karnataka’s milk producer unions are now awaiting the government’s response over the next three days.