Karnataka Cabinet Weighs ₹8 Nandini Milk Price Hike After Council Polls

Milk price in Karnataka may go up by ₹8, but only after Legislative Council polls

The State Cabinet on Tuesday is learnt to have discussed a proposal to increase the price of KMF’s Nandini milk by ₹8 per litre, but no decision has been taken because the Model Code of Conduct is in place for the Legislative Council elections.

The proposed revision follows a demand from milk producers across Karnataka for an increase in the procurement price paid by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).

The revised price is expected to be implemented after the elections, although the State government plans to seek the Election Commission of India’s permission to introduce the hike earlier.

Cabinet considers demand for higher procurement price

District milk unions had met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar seeking the increase, and he had indicated that the matter would be decided by the Cabinet.

“The milk price is likely to be revised by ₹8. The revised price is expected to be implemented after the elections,” a senior Minister told presspersons.

The Minister said the demand for an increase in the procurement price had come amid distress among farmers caused by the drought situation.

The proposed increase therefore concerns both the price paid for milk procurement and the price of KMF’s Nandini milk, with implementation dependent on the election-related restrictions.

Another Minister said the State government would send the proposal to the Election Commission of India and seek permission to implement the price hike.

“If permission is not granted, the government will wait till the end of elections,” the Minister said.

Cooperation Minister Laxman Savadi told presspersons that the Cabinet had discussed the milk price hike proposal.

“Since the Model Code of Conduct is in place, no decision has been taken yet. The Cabinet has been authorised to take a decision,” Savadi said.

“We will write to the Election Commission in this regard. If the commission gives permission, we will take a decision immediately,” he said.

The government’s next step is therefore to approach the Election Commission, while the final timing of the increase will depend on whether permission is granted during the period covered by the Model Code of Conduct.

Other proposals discussed by Cabinet

The Cabinet is also learnt to have discussed a proposal to revise ticket fares in State-owned road transport corporations.

However, no decision was taken on the proposed fare revision.

The government approved the purchase of 800 new BS VI buses at a cost of ₹304 crore.

The Cabinet also approved electronic weighing scales, e-POS and Iris scanners for public distribution shops on a rent basis.

Sources said the Cabinet informally discussed the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Asked whether the government was considering the formation of a special investigation team, sources said an SIT was not being considered at present because its formation would be seen as targeting a particular party.

“Though there are multiple FIRs in the State, we are not considering SIT. Let the police investigate on each FIR,” the sources said.

Source: The Hindu