Karnataka Government Faces Backlash Over Milk Price Hike
Karnatakas opposition leader criticizes the government for increasing milk prices, warning of protests if the rise continues.
Bengaluru, October 29 (Daily Kiran) : The Karnataka government is under fire from opposition leader R. Ashok, who accused it of placing an additional financial burden on the public by repeatedly raising milk prices. Speaking on Thursday, Ashok warned that the proposed increase would make life even harder for poor and middle-class families. He cautioned the Congress government that protests would ensue if they proceeded with the hike.
The state government announced on Thursday a price increase of ₹8 per liter for milk, effective November 1. Of this increase, ₹7 will go to farmers and ₹1 to dairy cooperatives. This means that the price farmers receive will rise from ₹35 to ₹42 per liter, with a total of ₹47 per liter after including the existing government subsidy of ₹5.
Ashok questioned whether the Congress government was truly committed to its promises to the people of Karnataka, given the rising costs of essential goods and the imposition of additional taxes. He noted that while the public is already grappling with increasing prices, the government seems intent on further burdening them.
Despite promises to improve living standards, Ashok accused the Congress government of making life more expensive for citizens. He demanded an immediate withdrawal of proposals that would increase the financial strain on poor and middle-class families.
Addressing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Ashok asked if the government’s cycle of milk price hikes was finally coming to an end, alleging that another increase was on the horizon. He referenced earlier price hikes, including ₹3 in July 2023, ₹2 in June 2024, and ₹4 in March 2025, asserting that the government is now considering an additional ₹8 increase.
If implemented, the total increase would reach ₹17, raising the price of Nandini toned milk from ₹46 to ₹54. Ashok also expressed concern over discussions regarding fare increases for buses operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).
He questioned whether the government intended to impose burdens on everyone, from children who consume milk daily to the common people who rely on buses for commuting. Comparing the proposed increase to adding fuel to a fire, Ashok stated that imposing extra costs on those already struggling with rising prices contradicts the principles of public welfare.
He urged the government to clarify its financial management before attributing the need for price increases to the interests of farmers and losses incurred by transport corporations.
