Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar
He said producers had sought Rs 12 and the cabinet cleared Rs 8 on Thursday. Toned milk will now cost Rs 54 a litre and Shubham Rs 60. Due to drought , milk production has come down,” he said.
Defending the milk price hike, Shivakumar said: “If we want to protect our cows, we must provide them with good food. Chief minister DK Shivakumar distanced his govt from the curd hike, saying the decision was taken by Karnataka Milk Federation, which sets rates by fat content. To provide them with food, we need fodder. For fodder to be available, farmers must have money in their hands. Otherwise, production will keep declining. We must do our part to show respect to Gomata and protect cattle. “Prices are much higher in neighbouring states, and farmers in Karnataka were moving their milk to those states. Milk availability is declining as well.
“Karnataka has a total of 28.8 lakh dairy farmers, of whom 67 per cent of KMF members are small and marginal farmers.
“Our government is committed to both protecting the interests of farmers and ensuring the supply of quality milk to consumers at affordable prices,” Shivakumar said. “While giving curd to the people, the Congress govt is enjoying the butter,” he said, adding that the increases would hit poor and middle-class families hardest. This decision is a significant step towards providing fair remuneration for their hard work, especiolaly in times of drought,” Shivakumar addedd. Union minister Pralhad Joshi pounced on the hike, accusing the govt of using KMF to cover fiscal mismanagement and depleted coffers.