Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday announced an increase of Rs 8 per litre in Nandini milk prices, with the revised rates coming into effect from November 1.
The decision was announced following a Cabinet meeting. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said Rs 7 of the increase would go directly to farmers, while the remaining Re 1 would go to the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).
The government said the price revision was intended to provide financial support to dairy farmers, particularly amid drought conditions affecting the state.
Rs 7 hike to benefit dairy farmers
Explaining the decision, Byre Gowda said dairy farmers had sought an increase of Rs 10 per litre. The Cabinet, however, approved a hike of Rs 8 per litre.
“Farmers wanted a hike of Rs 10. Of the Rs 8 per litre, Rs 7 will go to farmers and Rs 1 to the KMF. This will help lakhs of farmers during the drought situation,” the minister said.
The allocation means the bulk of the additional revenue from the price revision will be passed on to milk producers, while KMF will receive a smaller share.
Nandini is the dairy brand marketed by KMF, which works with dairy cooperative societies and milk producers across Karnataka. The price increase is expected to provide additional returns to farmers supplying milk through the cooperative network.
Formal announcement delayed until elections ended
The Cabinet had previously approved a possible increase of Rs 8 to Rs 10 per litre but had deferred the formal announcement until elections to four Legislative Council seats were completed.
The revised price was confirmed on Thursday, with the new rates scheduled to take effect from November 1.
The government has not provided the revised prices for individual Nandini milk variants in the information available. Consumers will need to check the applicable rates for their preferred varieties once the revised price list is issued.