Milk price row: Much ado about nothing, says KMF

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) on Tuesday pushed back against the idea that Nandini milk prices had been increased. KMF officials told News Trail that Nandini milk packets would now bear 50 ml extra and carry proportionately extra Rs 2 cost.

They added that a 500 ml packet that had been worth Rs 22 would now have 550 ml and cost Rs 24. Similarly, a one litre packet that had cost Rs 42 would now carry 1,050 ml and go for Rs 44. Since 50 ml of Nandini milk costs Rs 2.2, the cost is proportionate.

However, the Opposition BJP and JD(S) have latched on to the narrative that there is a price increase. They also cited an actual increase in Nandini milk prices by Rs 3 per litre in August last year.

Moreover, all varieties of Nandini milk namely toned, double toned, pasteurised, homogenised, Shubham, special will experience a similar increase in quantity and price. For example, a litre of homogenized toned milk, earlier costing Rs. 43 will be sold for Rs 45 but with 1,050ml capacity.

15 lakh litre hike in production cited

A KMF official informed News Trail that milk production had increased by 15 lakh litres.

“There has been a sudden increase in storages of milk by above 15 lakh litres in all the districts, during the onset of the monsoon. With the cows, the feed has increased, as monsoon has helped pastures grow,” a senior KMF official said.

“Going by the now previous rate of Rs 42 for a litre toned milk, 100ml will cost Rs 4.20, and when halved, it will cost Rs. 2.10. This will be applied on all varieties sold by us,” he added.

The KMF also insists that Karnataka sells its milk at a lower cost than other states. Kerala’s Milma sells it for Rs 52 per litre, Delhi-based Mother Dairy for Rs 54, Gujaratbased Diary giant Amul at Rs 56, and Andhra Pradesh’s Vijaya at Rs 58.

 Coffee, tea rates to remain same

Bengaluru-based hoteliers assured that since there was no actual, the prices of coffee and tea would not be increased.

President of the Bruhat Bangalore Hoteliers Association (BBHA) PC Rao said that bulk consumers wouldn’t be impacted. “Although it will impact domestic consumers, bulk consumers like us aren’t impacted. In fact, the extra quantity will help us in our businesses,” he said.