The Karnataka Cabinet has sanctioned an increase in milk prices by Rs 8 per litre (Representative image)
BENGALURU: The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved an Rs 8-per-litre hike in milk prices, with the increase set to take effect from November 1. Of the revised amount, Rs 7 will go to the farmers and Rs 1 to milk unions, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said, following demands from farmers for better returns amid rising costs. “Although farmers demanded an increase of Rs 10 per litre, it was felt that so much increase cannot be done. After discussions in the Cabinet today, under the chairmanship of the chief minister, we decided on an increase of Rs 8 per litre, of which Rs 7 will go to the farmers and Re 1 to the milk cooperatives,” he said.
Addressing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Gowda said, “Given the crisis faced by farmers, members of all parties in the Legislative Council had called for measures to support them. He said the Cabinet had considered the issue on two or three occasions before reaching a unanimous decision. Gowda said that during the protests, representatives of milk cooperatives had met the chief minister, the minister concerned for animal husbandry and the cooperation minister.
Milk producers themselves had taken to the streets in protest, and the cooperatives had also pressed for an increase.
Gowda said farmers currently receive around Rs 35 per litre, apart from the state government’s incentive of Rs 5 per litre. Earlier reporting noted: State cabinet hikes milk prices by ₹8: Karnataka minister The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday reportedly approved an ₹ 8 per litre increase in milk prices, with ₹ 7 of the additional amount going to milk-producing farmers and Re 1 to dairy cooperatives. The revised rates will come into effect on November 1, according to a state minister.
Earlier reporting noted: Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Gowda said the government had considered the demands raised by farmers and their representatives before finalising the increase, PTI news agency reported.