Bengaluru, The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) on Tuesday announced a hike in milk prices from June 26, prompting the opposition to hold the government responsible for the price hike, while dispensing led by Siddaramaiah says it had nothing to do with KMF's independent decision.
The rise in milk prices comes days after the Karnataka government increased sales tax on fuel, following which petrol prices increased by Rs 3 per liter and diesel by Rs 3.5 per liter in the state.
Although the price of milk increased, KMF said the quantity would also increase by 50 ml.
"As we are in the current harvest season, the storage of milk in all dairy unions of the district is increasing every day and the current storage is close to one million liters. In this context, the price of each packet is increased by Rs 2 with an additional 50 ml of milk will be delivered to consumers only for each half-litre (500 ML) and one-litre (1000 ML) packs,” KMF said in a statement.
Currently, the 500 ml packet of Nandini Toned Milk costs Rs 22. With this increase, the 550 ml pack will now cost Rs 24. Similarly, the 1000 ml (1 litre) pack was priced at Rs 42 and will now be sold for Rs 1050. ml at 44 rupees.
Prices will also go up for other categories of milk under the Nandini brand.
The decision to increase milk prices has sparked harsh reactions, with opposition parties attacking the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that milk prices were increased by the KMF and not the government.
"I don't know, I will talk to them (KMF)... Milk prices have been increased by the KMF, not by the government. After observing the situation in other states, they do it... As far as I know In Compared to other states, the price of milk in our state is less," he told reporters here.
Attacking the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka has increased the price of milk to "celebrate the Emergency anniversary".
"If you (Siddaramaiah) have an iota of compassion for the poor and middle class, immediately withdraw the milk price increase order," he said, directing his comments to the prime minister.
"You (Siddaramaiah) have increased the price of milk in just 13 months after coming to power. Last year in August, the price of milk increased by Rs 3 and now it has increased by Rs 2.
"Poor and middle class residents of the state are already worried about the rising prices of diesel and vegetables. In such a situation, a greater burden is imposed on them," he posted on social media.
BJP Karnataka unit president B Y Vijayendra said the latest decision to increase milk prices will severely impact poor and distressed families who are already facing a daunting task to make ends meet.
"Soon after the Lok Sabha election result, Congress MPs asked for revocation of the guarantees to avenge their loss. Finally, this is how the Congress government is taking revenge on the poor citizens for voting against it.
"@INCKarnataka govt seems to be in a big hurry to increase the price of all essential commodities to inflict maximum pain on voters. @BJPKarnataka will fight every inch against this govt's anti-people decisions," he posted on X.
The Janata Dal (Secular) also criticized the move and sarcastically claimed that on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the Emergency, the Congress government in Karnataka had given a "great gift" to the people.
"Will the benefit of this price increase go to the milk producers or the KMF? The guarantee (schemes) are the cause of the price increase," the party published in X.
The rise in milk prices comes days after the Karnataka government increased sales tax on fuel, following which petrol prices increased by Rs 3 per liter and diesel by Rs 3.5 per liter in the state.
Although the price of milk increased, KMF said the quantity would also increase by 50 ml.
"As we are in the current harvest season, the storage of milk in all dairy unions of the district is increasing every day and the current storage is close to one million liters. In this context, the price of each packet is increased by Rs 2 with an additional 50 ml of milk will be delivered to consumers only for each half-litre (500 ML) and one-litre (1000 ML) packs,” KMF said in a statement.
Currently, the 500 ml packet of Nandini Toned Milk costs Rs 22. With this increase, the 550 ml pack will now cost Rs 24. Similarly, the 1000 ml (1 litre) pack was priced at Rs 42 and will now be sold for Rs 1050. ml at 44 rupees.
Prices will also go up for other categories of milk under the Nandini brand.
The decision to increase milk prices has sparked harsh reactions, with opposition parties attacking the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that milk prices were increased by the KMF and not the government.
"I don't know, I will talk to them (KMF)... Milk prices have been increased by the KMF, not by the government. After observing the situation in other states, they do it... As far as I know In Compared to other states, the price of milk in our state is less," he told reporters here.
Attacking the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka has increased the price of milk to "celebrate the Emergency anniversary".
"If you (Siddaramaiah) have an iota of compassion for the poor and middle class, immediately withdraw the milk price increase order," he said, directing his comments to the prime minister.
"You (Siddaramaiah) have increased the price of milk in just 13 months after coming to power. Last year in August, the price of milk increased by Rs 3 and now it has increased by Rs 2.
"Poor and middle class residents of the state are already worried about the rising prices of diesel and vegetables. In such a situation, a greater burden is imposed on them," he posted on social media.
BJP Karnataka unit president B Y Vijayendra said the latest decision to increase milk prices will severely impact poor and distressed families who are already facing a daunting task to make ends meet.
"Soon after the Lok Sabha election result, Congress MPs asked for revocation of the guarantees to avenge their loss. Finally, this is how the Congress government is taking revenge on the poor citizens for voting against it.
"@INCKarnataka govt seems to be in a big hurry to increase the price of all essential commodities to inflict maximum pain on voters. @BJPKarnataka will fight every inch against this govt's anti-people decisions," he posted on X.
The Janata Dal (Secular) also criticized the move and sarcastically claimed that on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the Emergency, the Congress government in Karnataka had given a "great gift" to the people.
"Will the benefit of this price increase go to the milk producers or the KMF? The guarantee (schemes) are the cause of the price increase," the party published in X.
