Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has asked Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) to cut the price of Nandini curd after prices of milk and dairy products in the state went up recently. The Chief Minister’s suggestion comes as consumers and hotel owners have criticised higher prices of essential dairy products.
The move comes after the Karnataka government increased Nandini milk prices by ₹8 per litre from November 1, 2026. Shivakumar, while defending the milk price revision, said it would give financial help to nearly 11 lakh dairy farmer families in Karnataka.
KMF has reportedly agreed to cut curd price by ₹2 per litre on the Chief Minister’s suggestion. The new rate will provide some relief to consumers after the recent hike in prices, but customers have to check KMF's official price notification for details of implementation.
DK Shivakumar Defends Milk Price Increase
Speaking to reporters after meeting KMF representatives, Shivakumar defended the government’s decision to increase milk prices. He said the price revision was done to help dairy farmers who have been facing rising production and operational costs.
The Chief Minister also compared the rise in milk prices with the rising cost of bottled water. “Why do people never raise objections when the price of bottled water is increased but revision of milk prices is met with strong criticism?” he asked.
He said the milk price hike would benefit around 11 lakh farming families in Karnataka. The government, he added, had to look into the financial interests of milk producers while ensuring availability of dairy products.
The Chief Minister also said that milk prices vary according to fat content and officials would explain the differences between the prices of different varieties of milk.
Nandini Curd Price: What Has Changed?
Several Nandini dairy products have been impacted by the recent price revision. Before the November 1 revision, a one-litre curd pouch was ₹54; after the hike, it went up to ₹68.
The price of a 500 gram curd pouch also went up from ₹28 to ₹34. On Shivakumar’s suggestion, KMF reduced the curd price by ₹2 per litre.
This would take the price of one litre pouch to ₹66 (if final rate is implemented). This will be a big development for households, hotels, restaurants and other businesses which buy curd in bulk.
Consumers and hotel associations had complained about the increase because dairy products are used in everyday food preparation.
DK Suresh Says 11 Lakh Farmer Families Will Benefit
BAMUL president D.K. Suresh also defended the milk price revision, saying that it would benefit about 11 lakh dairy farmer families and 25 lakh people involved in milk distribution and sales.
Karnataka produces about 1.15 crore litres of milk every day, Suresh said, adding that the revised prices would strengthen the dairy cooperative system and improve the financial position of milk producers.
Suresh also said Nandini products are supplied to neighbouring states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra). “Milk prices in several of these markets are higher than in Karnataka.”
He said the price revision would help keep the cooperative sector competitive and ensure better returns for farmers. He explained that most of the additional benefit would go to dairy farmers, and milk unions would retain a smaller amount to meet operational expenses.
Bus Fare Hike: Transport Department to Take Final Call
Besides the milk price issue, Shivakumar also answered questions about a possible increase in Karnataka’s public transport bus fares.
The Chief Minister said the final decision on bus fare revision had been left to the Transport Department. He said petrol and diesel prices had increased and operating expenses of state transport corporations have gone up.
Special grants will be given to transport operations. Revised calculations are also being considered for running buses in areas where passenger traffic is relatively low.
However, no final bus fare increase has been announced yet. The Transport Department will have to look at the financial position before taking a decision.
KMF Representatives Meet Chief Minister
The latest developments followed a meeting between KMF and district milk union representatives with the Chief Minister at his official residence, Krishna in Bengaluru. The representatives met Shivakumar to congratulate him.
During the interaction, dairy sector representatives talked about the recent milk price revision and what benefits it would bring for farmers and people involved in milk distribution.
The curd price reduction proposal and farmer welfare debate have put the state’s dairy pricing policy in focus.
With the milk price hike already in place and curd price reduction under consideration, consumers will wait for KMF’s next official announcement. Transport Department’s decision on bus fares is another issue that may come to public attention in the coming days.
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