Over 35 lakh dairy farmers made scapegoats by Bommai govt

NT Correspondent

The BJP-led government in Karnataka appears to be in a state of the devil and deep blue sea. The Basavaraj Bommai-led government, which took many antipeople, anti-poor decisions and passed legislations to please its Hindutva constituency and Delhi high command, regardless of its impact on the society including farm laws is now struggling hard to project its ‘pro-people’ image with elections to Karnataka Legislative Assembly is just six months away.

But, the government miserably failed in understanding the fact that, it is not easy to please a section of society while displeasing another section. By putting the Karnataka Milk Federation’s (KMF)’s move to hike Nandini Milk prices on hold, Bommai government has antagonised over 35 lakh milk farmers in Karnataka. The farming community in Karnataka, which is opposing three farm-related laws;

Karnataka Land Revenue (Amendment) Act 2020, Karnataka APMC (Amendment) Act 2020, and Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation Cattle Act 2020, is completely upset over the government withholding hike in Nandini Milk prices.

A confrontation between the farmers and the State government is brewing and Milk producing farmers have cautioned the government of launching state-wide agitation, in case of government does not roll back its decision. Farming community is of the opinion that, the government is punishing farmers, who are in deep crisis because of falling agricultural income and rural growth.

Recently putting the Karnataka Milk Federation’s (KMF) move of hiking Nandini Milk prices on hold. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced that he would take a final call on increasing the price of milk will be taken after consultation with KMF, after December 20.—