It’s Better to Own a Cow, than Pay more for Nandini Milk?
Mangaluru: It’s not going to be an April Fool’s joke! Starting April 1, get ready to pay Rs 2 more per litre for Nandini toned milk, as the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) have hiked prices due to drought conditions in the state. With the increase in milk prices going up now and then, it’s better to own a cow, which will produce more milk at less expenses. It is learnt in Southern Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mandya, Kolar, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Hassan and Shivamogga, toned milk would cost Rs 35 per litre, up from Rs 33.
The price of half a litre of curd would now be Rs 21 against the existing Rs 20. As per KMF authorities, “The procurement of new packing film with new MRP requires time. The present milk packing film with old printed rates will be used till packing film with new MRP is sourced. Nandini milk and curd with new MRP will be available in the market in old packing film, so the public is requested to co-operate,”.
In some districts of North Karnataka, including Belagavi, Raichur, Ballari and Dakshina Kannada, milk price hike is Re 1 (Rs 34 to Rs 35). In Dharwad, Haveri, Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura and Bagalkote, a price would be Rs 36 per litre (against the present Rs 35) while in Kalaburagi, Bidar and Yadgir, a price will be hiked from Rs 36 to Rs 37 per litre. KMF said the price rise was necessitated by the drought conditions prevailing in the state and resultant scarcity of drinking water and fodder. With cattle owners finding it difficult to maintain the animals, the price rise was inevitable, said the KMF release. It added that price of Nandini milk was low compared to other milk brands, even after the hike. Prices of other milk brands in Karnataka range between Rs 38 and 42 per litre.
The rise in milk prices is likely to result in a corresponding increase in the price of tea and coffee. Chances are that restaurant owners may increase the price of tea and coffee and other beverages which include milk.