Congress leader defends Karnataka milk price hike as farmers face drought
T. B. Jayachandra stated the Rs 8 per litre increase is needed to support dairy farmers struggling with fodder shortages.
Congress leader and Karnataka Special Representative in Delhi, T. B. Jayachandra, defended the Karnataka government's decision to raise milk prices by Rs 8 per litre on Tuesday.
Speaking at Hiriyur in Chitradurga district, Jayachandra said the increase was required to protect the livelihoods of farmers facing drought and a lack of cattle feed.
According to ANI, Jayachandra noted that while the hike adds a burden to consumers, the government must balance those interests with the need to safeguard livestock and dairy farming. He mentioned that milk prices have been adjusted several times previously, but current conditions made this latest revision necessary.
The Karnataka Cabinet recently implemented the price increase, which came into effect on November 1. The hike follows a demand for a Rs 12 increase per litre.
In Bengaluru, the price rise has impacted local businesses. The New Indian Express reported that hotels and tea shops have increased the cost of tea and coffee by Rs 3 to Rs 5. PC Rao, honorary president of the Bengaluru Hotels Association, said the industry expected a smaller increase of Rs 2 to Rs 3 per litre.
The association president also noted that curd prices have risen by Rs 14. He stated that prices for products such as butter, paneer, ghee, and cheese could also rise, noting that ghee supplies are already becoming irregular.