Nandini pkts to carry 50 ml more, to be Rs 2 dearer

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Opposition parties BJP and JD(S) on Tuesday accused the Karnataka Congress government of increasing the price of Nandini milk even as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the quantity of the product had been increased per packet and there had been a proportionate rise in rates.

The state-owned Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which manufactures Nandini products, said the new prices would come into effect on June 26. Both KMF and Siddaramaiah said Nandini milk packets of 500 ml and one litre would now have 50 ml extra each and an additional Rs 2 cost had been attached per packet.

Apparently, there has been an increase in milk production this harvest season and the additional volume is being accommodated in the packets. Earlier, a 500 ml packet of Nandini milk cost Rs 22 but the new 550 ml packet will go for Rs 24. 

Similarly, the one litre packet used to cost Rs 42 and the new 1,050 ml packet will cost Rs 44. Other varieties of Nandini milk packets such as toned, double toned, pasteurized, homogenised, Shubham, special, Good Life etc will have similarly increased quantity and prices.

The KMF appears to be correct as Nandini milk costs Rs 2.2 per 50 ml. Therefore, the 500 ml packet costing Rs 22 and the new 550 ml packet going for Rs 24 makes it clear that thee is only a proportionate increase in prices.

However, Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Assembly R Ashoka and BJP Karnataka president BY Vijayendra insisted there had been a hike in milk price.

They argued it was consistent with the State government recently increasing sales taxes on petrol and diesel, hiking their prices by Rs 3 and Rs 3.5 respectively.