Indian state approves Rs 8-per-litre increase in Nandini milk prices

Speaking to reporters outside a private hotel in Bengaluru on Thursday, Shivakumar said requests for higher milk prices had been made over the past couple of years. He described the government’s decision as support for farmers. Asked about the additional cost to consumers, he said the availability of milk depended on farmers and referred to comments already made by a minister on the issue.

Shivakumar cited increases in the cost of plastic used for packaging, petrol and diesel, along with higher milk-transport expenses. He said requests had been made for an increase ranging from Rs 12 to Rs 15 per litre. The cabinet settled on Rs 8 after consultations, he said. In a separate account of the cabinet decision, he referred to a request for a Rs 12 increase.

In his comparison with other states, Shivakumar named neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu as places where milk cost more than in Karnataka. He also pointed to payments of Rs 30–35 for a litre of water. According to him, Karnataka’s lower milk prices had prompted supplies to be sent to Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, a practice he said needed to be prevented.

Shivakumar said calls for an increase had come from legislators across political parties. He referred to demands raised in both chambers of the state legislature, the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. Elections had previously prevented a decision, he said; the cabinet had acted after they were over.

Reporters also questioned Shivakumar about a proposed increase in bus fares. He said responsibility for deciding that matter rested with the Transport Department, which the government had asked to make its own decision.

Discussing the department’s finances, Shivakumar said it had incurred substantial losses and had lacked money even to purchase diesel. He also referred to the government’s provision of free bus journeys for women when explaining why the department had been asked to decide on fares.