Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 25: The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) is likely to increase the price of Nandini milk by Rs 5 per litre after the state government gave its nod for the proposed hike. An official order on the revised price is expected to be issued shortly.

The decision follows sustained pressure from the association of the state’s 16 milk unions, which had sought a hike in the selling price of Nandini milk citing a sharp rise in milk production and management costs.

The milk unions had initially demanded an increase of Rs 10 per litre and had warned the government that they would organise a ‘Vidhana Soudha Chalo’ protest if their demand was not accepted. Taking the unions’ warning and the concerns of milk producers seriously, the government has now opted for a middle path.

With the aim of avoiding an excessive financial burden on consumers while ensuring better returns for farmers and milk producers, the government has decided to raise the price by Rs 4 to Rs 5 per litre.

Highly placed government sources said the price revision had become necessary to safeguard the interests of milk-producing farmers. The revised price, once implemented, is expected to add to the financial burden on consumers.

Recently, a delegation of milk unions met chief minister D K Shivakumar and submitted a request to increase the procurement and selling price of Nandini milk by Rs 8 to Rs 10 per litre.

Following the meeting, the chief minister agreed to the demand of the milk cooperative unions representing 16 districts, sources said. The price of Nandini milk is consequently expected to rise by Rs 4 to Rs 5 per litre once the government issues its official order.