Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 20: People already burdened by rising prices of essential commodities are set to face further financial strain in the coming days. The prices of tea, coffee, curd, and other dairy products are expected to increase in March.

Following the presentation of the state budget on March 7, the price of Nandini milk will rise by Rs 5 per litre. Additionally, the milk quantity will be adjusted from the current 1,050 ml per packet to a full litre. With this revision, the price of one litre of Nandini toned milk will increase to Rs 47.

This is the highest price hike by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) in the last three years. Previously, in 2022, the price of milk was increased by Rs 3 per litre. In 2024, KMF had raised the price by Rs 2 per packet while increasing the quantity per packet by 50 ml.

However, since the overall milk supply had increased in 2024, there had been no major price hike, according to KMF.

The milk price hike comes as another blow to consumers after the Coffee Brewers Association announced an increase of Rs 200 per kg for coffee powder by March. Additionally, ticket prices for BMTC buses and Namma Metro have also been raised.

The state government is also in the process of increasing water tariffs. Meanwhile, electricity supply companies (Escoms) have submitted a request to the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission to raise power tariffs by 67 paise per unit for the upcoming financial year.

"Dairy farmers have demanded a Rs 5 per litre hike, but the final decision rests with the chief minister. This will be implemented after the state budget," as told by KMF managing director B Shivswamy to TNIE.

"We used to collect 85-89 lakh litres of milk daily. Now, the collection has increased to around 99 lakh litres per day, sometimes even more. However, our daily supply stands at 79-81 lakh litres, meaning there is surplus milk. This surplus will be discontinued," Shivswamy explained.

Compared to other states, Karnataka's milk prices remain lower than the rates at which milk is sold online in other states, he added.

"In principle, the increased cost should benefit the farmers. However, in recent days, employee unions have raised multiple demands, including the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations on salaries and pensions. Hence, all factors must be considered," a KMF official stated.