Nandini Milk price hike on hold; Karnataka chief minister seeks data from other states

Bengaluru: A demand for a steep hike in milk prices will now go before the state cabinet, possibly next week, with chief minister DK Shivakumar putting off an immediate decision even as thousands of farmers gathered in the city to press for relief.Representatives of milk unions met CM Saturday, seeking a hike of Rs 8-10 per litre for Nandini milk, of which Rs 2 could go directly to producers’ cooperatives. About 50,000 milk producers had assembled in Bengaluru demanding the increase.“We will examine it in the cabinet. I’m also getting reports on the situation in neighbouring states such as Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh,” Shivakumar said after meeting the unions.Shivakumar’s brother and Bangalore Milk Union Ltd (BAMUL) president DK Suresh said dairy farmers were under severe financial strain, with unions telling Karnataka Milk Federation that costs of cattle feed, veterinary care and transport had all risen sharply.Farmers argued a hike was overdue, pointing out that cooperatives in states such as Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were already paying higher rates per litre, a gap that risked pushing local milk supply towards these neighbouring markets.Rather than approving an immediate increase, CM has asked officials and union functionaries to submit detailed reports comparing cattle feed price trends over the past decade and the rates paid in other states. The cabinet would take a final call only after reviewing the data. “Our govt is committed to protecting farmers; we will discuss it in the cabinet,” Shivakumar said, acknowledging the scale of Saturday’s turnout.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in BengaluruStay updated with the latest Bengaluru news. Download the TOI App.