Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 28: Union Heavy Industries and Steel minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday came down heavily on the Congress-led Karnataka government for hiking milk prices by Rs 4 per litre just before Ugadi, calling it an ‘unfair burden’ on the people.

"For Ugadi, a festival of joy, the government has given us the gift of a price hike," he quipped, condemning the move.

Accusing the Congress government of continuously burdening the people, he pointed out that milk prices had been hiked thrice in less than two years by Rs 3 in August 2023, Rs 2 in June 2024, and now Rs 4 in March 2025.

Lashing out at the power tariff hike, Kumaraswamy said, "Now, everyone will have to pay 36 paise more per unit. This government pretends to give with one hand but loots with ten. It is a Ravana-like exploitation of Kannadigas."

Criticizing the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), he alleged that the price hikes were not for farmers' benefit but to favor corporate interests. "Who will benefit from this? The farmers or KMF? The government must clarify!" he demanded.

Taking a dig at the Congress, he called it the "East India Congress Company," accusing it of ruling with price hikes and tax burdens.

The Siddaramaiah-led government approved the milk price hike on Thursday, citing demands from KMF and farmers' organizations. The new price will take effect from April 1.

Additionally, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) announced a power tariff hike of 36 paise per unit, also effective from April 1.

The BJP has strongly opposed both hikes, terming them a "direct attack" on the common man’s pocket.