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

Amid a demand by milk producers across Karnataka for increase in the procurement price of milk by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), the State Cabinet on Tuesday is learnt to have discussed the prospect of increasing the price of KMF’s Nandini milk by ₹8 per litre. The hike, however, is expected to take time to be implemented since the Model Code of Conduct is in place for the Legislative Council elections.

While district milk unions had met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar seeking the hike, he had indicated that a decision would be taken in the Cabinet.

Demand by farmers

“The milk price is likely to be revised by ₹8. The revised price is expected to be implemented after the elections. There has been a demand to increase the procurement price since the drought situation had caused distress among farmers,” a senior Minister told presspersons.

Another Minister said that the State government would send the proposal to the Election Commission of India, seeking permission to implement the price hike. “If permission is not granted, the government will wait till the end of elections.”

Cooperation Minister Laxman Savadi told presspersons that the Cabinet discussed the mlk 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. We will write to the Election Commission in this regard. If the commission gives permission, we will take a decision immediately.”

Meanwhile, the Cabinet is learnt to have discussed a proposal for a revision of ticket fares in State-owned road transport corporation. “However, no decision on revision was taken place,” a Minister said.

The government has also approved 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 rent-basis.

No SIT on SIR complaints

Sources said that the Cabinet also informally discussed the ongoing controversy over Special Intensive Revision of electoral roll.

When asked if the government was considering setting up special investigation team (SIT), sources said, “The SIT is not being thought about now since formation of SIT would be seen as targetting a particular party. Though there are multiple FIRs in the State, we are not considering SIT. Let the police investigate on each FIR.”