Political slugfest ensues over Nandini milk quantity, price increase

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Apolitical war of words broke out as Opposition parties BJP and JD(S) on Tuesday accused the Congress State 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 the 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.

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. 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 appears to be 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.

Move to benefit dairy farmers: Siddu

Siddaramaiah defended the move. “There will be no Increase in milk prices per unit, but only an increase in the volume per packet with proportionate increase in the price for the increased volume.

Each milk packet will now contain an additional 50 ml of milk, and the price will be proportionally increased for the increased volume. From now on, half-liter (500 ml) milk packets will be replaced by 550 ml milk packets, and one-liter packets will be replaced by 1,050 ml milk packets,” he said.

“When our government came into power, the average daily milk collection in the state was around 72 lakh liters. We implemented a Rs 3 increase in the milk price, directing the additional funds directly to farmers, making dairy farming more profitable. Additionally, good rainfall this year has ensured ample green fodder for cattle. Due to these factors, milk production has now reached nearly one crore liters per day. To handle this increased production and ensure it is beneficial for both farmers and consumers, KMF has made this decision,” he added.

BJP sees red

Ashoka alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka has increased the milk price to “celebrate the anniversary of the Emergency”. “If you (Siddaramaiah) have even an iota of compassion for the poor and middle class people, then withdraw the milk price hike order immediately," he said.