Pralhad Joshi and hotels association criticise Nandini curd price hike
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and the Bangalore Hotels Association have opposed the Karnataka Milk Federation's decision to increase curd prices.
The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) announced a price increase for Nandini curd of up to Rs 14 per kg, effective from November 1, according to a report by Deccan Herald. The revised rates include a 500-gram pouch rising from Rs 28 to Rs 34 and a one-kg pouch increasing from Rs 54 to Rs 68.
Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi criticised the move on X, stating the Congress government has imposed an unprecedented hike. Joshi alleged the government is making citizens pay for financial mismanagement and noted that the 500-gram pouch increased by Rs six, while the one-kg pouch rose by Rs 14.
The Bangalore Hotels Association also opposed the hike, suggesting the increase should have been limited to Rs eight per kg to match recent milk price rises. Honorary president P C Rao stated the increase was not justified and could negatively impact both the hotel industry and consumers.
Rao also questioned the process, suggesting that raising prices for milk products without approval at a ministers' meeting could cause problems. The association noted that the price of milk had previously been increased by Rs eight per litre.
Defending the revision, the KMF said the decision supports dairy farmers facing higher costs for fodder, medicines, and cattle maintenance due to drought-like conditions. The federation stated that the selling price of Nandini Toned Milk was revised upwards by Rs eight per litre following State Cabinet discussions.
The KMF said the revised prices for milk and curd were based on fat content, market competition, and the interests of dairy farmers. The federation noted that approximately 8.9 lakh members supply milk to cooperative societies daily.