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.The decision comes after milk producers staged protests seeking a higher procurement price, with their representatives urging the state government to raise the rate by at least Rs 10 per litre.
Farmers to get Rs 42 per litre
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. Milk producers themselves had taken to the streets in protest, and the cooperatives had also pressed for an increase.”He said the Cabinet had considered the issue on two or three occasions before reaching a unanimous decision.“Respecting these demands, the Cabinet has today decided to increase the price paid to milk-producing farmers by Rs 7 per litre. In addition, the cooperatives will receive an increase of Re 1 per litre. Thus, the total increase will be Rs 8 per litre.”
Farmers had sought Rs 10 per litre increase
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.They had insisted that the procurement price be raised by at least Rs 10 per litre.“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.
Karnataka farmers to receive Rs 47 per litre including incentive
Gowda said farmers currently receive around Rs 35 per litre, apart from the state government’s incentive of Rs 5 per litre.From November 1, the price paid to farmers will increase to Rs 42 per litre, while the government incentive will continue.“This means farmers will receive a total of Rs 47 per litre, including the government incentive. This will benefit lakhs of farming families,” he added.(With PTI inputs)
