Mangalore/Bangalore: The prices of 3 types of milk sold by Milk producers to Dairies in the state have been raised by Rs2/- with immediate effect, govt. sources informed. Thus double toned milk selling at Rs.18 a litre will now costRs.20/-, another toned Nandini milk earlier available at Rs.19/- a litre, today costs Rs.21/- and Nandini curds costing Rs.24/- a packet will now be charged Rs.26/-. The extra charge of Rs.2/- a litre goes directly to the milk producers through their co-operative units, according to the Minister of Co-operation, Laxman Savadi in Bangalore. There are about 20 lac milk producers in the state who will warm up to work better with the milk rates going up. Those who were criticizing the BJP govt, as anti-farmer, will have to change their views, as a separate agricultural budget with dairying as a part of it will be presented in the Assembly on Feb 24, much earlier that Central budget. To please the farmers starting with milk, the CM has asked the co-operation minister to apply the new rates from this morning (Tuesday, Feb.15).
G.Somashekhar Reddy, President of Milk Federation, has justified the milk rate hike. It is upto the rural households to keep a cow or two-to maintain the babies at home. Similarly, those suburban homes with a small land around them could do well to have cow to draw milk and sell the excess milk to a hotel or needy persons in the neighbourhoor.