Karnataka Cabinet Approves Rs 8 Nandini Milk Price Hike

The Government of Karnataka approved a proposal to increase the price of Nandini milk by up to Rs 8 per litre. If implemented, the price of blue-packet toned milk will rise from Rs 46 to Rs 54 per litre. This would mark the fifth price revision since November 2022.

The decision follows pressure from dairy farmers and milk unions citing drought conditions and rising costs for cattle feed, fodder, veterinary medicines, and packaging. Reports indicate feed bag prices have risen by 67-79% and packaging costs by 40% since the last revision. Additionally, Karnataka's procurement rate of Rs 35 per litre currently trails neighboring southern states, where rates range from Rs 41 to Rs 42.24.

Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar is authorized to determine the final extent of the hike and how the increase is distributed between producers and milk unions. A current proposal suggests Rs 6 go to producers and Rs 2 to milk unions. While the government expects the hike to take effect around November 1, the formal announcement is delayed pending clearance from the Election Commission of India due to the Model Code of Conduct for upcoming Legislative Council elections.

In the same Cabinet session, the government approved restructuring Bengaluru's police administration into five separate commissionerates under a Chief Police Commissioner, while deferring a decision on raising bus fares.