From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 25: Close on the heels of the hike in petrol and diesel rates by the Congress government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has announced an Rs 2 increase in the prices of Nandini Brand Milk.

While the State Government has not come out with any official announcement, BJP Opposition leader R Ashok and Union Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy have criticised the hike in Nandini milk prices as the Congress government’s gift to the people on the anniversary of the imposition of emergency by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters that he has ‘no information on KMF decision to increase the milk prices’.

“KMF may have increased the Nandini Milk prices based on the rates in the neighbouring states,” Siddaramaiah added.

Ashok said the Siddaramaiah has resorted to the increase in Nandini milk prices for the second time in the last 13 months. While the milk prices were increased by Rs 3 per litre in August last year, another hike of Rs 2 per litre has come as big blow to the poor and middle classes, who are already suffering due to the increase in petrol and diesel prices as well as sky-rocketing vegetable prices.

“If the Congress government has any concern for the poor and middle classes, the order on increasing milk prices must be withdrawn immediately,” Ashok said.

JDS leader Kumaraswamy attacked the government on the increase and asked if the increase will be passed on to the milk producers or cornered by KMF.

“The ruling Congress government’s guarantees are the reason for the spate of price hikes,” he added.