THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
The prices of Nandini milk are likely to rise in Goa as the Karnataka government has approved an increase in milk pricing by Rs 4 per litre which will be in effect from April 1.
The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) had recommended this price to the government and this is the second price rise by KMF in recent times. The popular brown and blue packets of one-litre Nandini milk will now be priced at Rs 48, up from Rs 44 per litre in Karnataka while the price rise is likely to be proportionate to the existing prices.
Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Thursday, Karnataka Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna said that Nandini milk prices in Karnataka will be increased by Rs 4 per litre from April 1.
“The cost of Nandini curd has also been increased by Rs 4 per kilo,” the minister said.
The minister said that this decision follows persistent demands from farmers and the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) for a price hike to offset escalating expenses.
The demand for a hike in the milk prices was Rs 5 per litre. However, the government has decided to increase the milk prices by Rs 4, the minister added.
KMF Belagavi unit, which is also identified as Belagavi Milk Union Ltd (BEMUL), is one of the major suppliers of Nandini brand of milk to Goa.
The price of Nandini milk and curd will be also increased from April 1 in Goa, adding to the burden of consumers in Goa. The rates of Nandini milk in Goa are Rs 4 to Rs 6 higher than Karnataka due to the transport, chilling costs and the cess applied by Government of Goa.
However, BEMUL is yet to receive an official communique in this regard
A meeting of the Board of Directors of BEMUL was underway till late Thursday evening. Sources said that the issue of supply of milk to Goa was also taken up during the meeting among other matters. The prices of Nandini Milk for Goa are also likely to be finalised during this meeting, an official said.
"We are yet to receive a circular from the government in this regard. The price rise for other states are likely to be finalised in the next few days," a senior official at BEMUL told The Goan.
