The state Cabinet had recently approved a Rs 8 per litre hike in milk prices.
Bengaluru: Consumers, who will feel the pinch of the steep hike in milk prices from Sunday, are in for another jolt as the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has decided to increase the price of curd by Rs 14 a litre and that of a few varieties of special and toned milk by as much as Rs 12.
The state Cabinet had recently approved a Rs 8 per litre hike in milk prices.
Even as Chief Minister D K Shivakumar defended the hike again on Saturday, consumers and hoteliers are sore with the “frequent” revision in milk prices, with the last increase of Rs 4 a litre of milk in April 2025. They are especially vocal about the increase in the price of curd, which they termed unscientific.
“The price of curd was also expected to go up by a maximum of Rs 8 per litre. However, KMF has increased it by as much as Rs 14 a litre. This will only increase the burden on the people. The rise in curd prices should be in proportion to that of milk. KMF’s move is unscientific and unreasonable,” P C Rao from the Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers’ Association told DH.
Curd is one of the most common ingredients used in preparation of many dishes at hotels and this could significantly drive up prices of many items on the menu, said one of the hoteliers.
“It is not a standalone product. We use it for preparing many gravies and other side dishes. Such a drastic increase in price will mean that we will have to increase the prices of food items,” said Mahesh K, a hotelier from North Bengaluru.
Many hoteliers had requested the government to approve the hike only in a phased manner to reduce the burden on the public. However, the chief minister on Saturday justified the decision to increase the price of milk saying it was approved in the interest of dairy farmers and considering the drought situation in the state.
“Owing to drought, there is a shortage of fodder for cows and milk production has also come down. The dairy farmer needs more money to protect and provide for the cows in such a situation. The hike was also approved to ensure the cows are protected,” he said.
