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

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Saturday that the Karnataka Cabinet would discuss a proposal to raise milk prices before a final decision is made. During a press conference, the Chief Minister stated that presidents of district milk unions had approached him and requested an increase of ₹12 per litre, with ₹2 of that amount potentially going to milk producers' societies.

The CM indicated that the government would examine conditions in neighboring states such as Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, and review reports before making a decision. Mr. Shivakumar explained that milk unions were suffering losses at the current price point, and dairy farmers had been advocating for a price hike. Around 50,000 milk producers had put forth a demand for an increase.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister met with the presidents of district milk unions at his residence in Sadashivanagar, where they presented their proposal seeking a price increase. Representatives from the Bengaluru Milk Union (BAMUL), Ballari Milk Union, Kolar Milk Union, and other milk unions attended the meeting. KMF Managing Director S.T.

Suresh and Administrator M.V. Venkatesh also participated. When asked about the demand by media, Suresh noted that dairy farmers had been seeking a price revision for the past five to six months due to financial hardships faced by them. He pointed out that several states with high milk production had already revised their prices, while Karnataka had yet to do so.

Producers from various parts of the state have also protested and submitted memoranda to district administrations to seek an increase in the milk price. Several legislators have raised concerns about the challenges dairy farmers and milk producers face in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. Despite the hike, Suresh assured that the new prices would still be lower than those of private players.