On Thursday, Karnataka's cabinet approved an ₹8 rise in the retail price of Nandini milk, effective 1 November, with ₹7 earmarked for farmers and ₹1 for the state milk federation.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the hike was a response to soaring production costs—plastic packaging, diesel and petrol— and a need to prevent milk from being diverted to Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
BJP leader R Ashoka blasted the decision as another burden on consumers, noting a cumulative ₹17 rise in milk prices since the Congress government took office, and warned of potential demonstrations if the price is not withdrawn.
Shivakumar hinted at a possible increase in state bus fares, citing heavy losses suffered by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation; he said the transport department would decide on the matter.
Smallholder farmer Ramesh Bhat, whose 20‑acre farm supplies 400 litres a week, said the new price will help offset the higher cost of diesel, but he also warned that consumers may be reluctant to pay the steep increase.
The cabinet will debate the proposal in the Legislative Assembly next week, and the opposition is demanding a public hearing before the bill takes effect.