BENGALURU: Nandini milk is set to become costlier by up to Rs 8 a litre, with the state Cabinet approving the hike on Tuesday but holding back its announcement because of the Model Code of Conduct for Legislative Council elections.The proposed increase would be the fifth revision in Nandini milk prices since November 2022. Prices were raised by Rs 3 in November 2022, Rs 3 in July 2023, Rs 2 in June 2024 and Rs 4 in March 2025.In June 2024, consumers were given an additional 50 ml for every litre, but KMF later withdrew the additional quantity.The government will seek Election Commission clearance before implementing the decision. The Cabinet has authorised Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take the final call on the extent of the hike and its implementation.Ministers who attended the meeting said the revised prices are likely to take effect from November 1, subject to EC clearance.Under the proposal, Rs 6 of the Rs 8 increase will go to milk producers and Rs 2 to milk unions. If the entire hike is passed on to consumers, toned milk in the blue packet will cost Rs 54 a litre, up from Rs 46.“Due to the drought situation, farmers are facing crop losses and a shortage of fodder, among other problems. Protecting their interests is important for the government and hence the Cabinet approved the proposal to hike milk prices,” a minister said.The unions, which met Shivakumar, had recently sought a hike of Rs 8 to Rs 10 per litre, citing higher costs of cattle feed, fodder, medicines, transport and plastic packaging.They had also pointed to Karnataka’s lower procurement price compared with neighbouring states.According to the unions, toned milk is procured at Rs 35 a litre in Karnataka, against Rs 41.5 in Andhra Pradesh, Rs 41.8 in Kerala, Rs 41 in Maharashtra and Rs 42.2 in Tamil Nadu.Amul and Mother Dairy had in May raised milk prices by Rs 2 per litre from May 14, citing rising operational costs and inflation.
