BENGALURU, 28 MARCH

Former chief minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai on Friday criticised the Congress government for the milk price hike, claiming that it is a tactic to cover up the financial troubles caused by their guarantee schemes.

"Almost all commodities’ prices have been increasing on a day-to-day basis. Today, they have increased the price of milk by Rs 4, the third time in a year. They want to cover up the bankruptcy caused by their guarantees."

On Thursday, the government hiked the price of Nandini milk and curd by Rs 4 per litre, with effect from 1 April. The government said that move was aimed at encouraging dairy farming in the state, considering the cost of milk production and processing.

Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) Chairman Bheema Naik defended the price hike. "We were selling milk in Karnataka at Rs 42 per litre. The price is Rs 53 in Gujarat, Rs 58 in Andhra & Telangana, Rs 56 in Delhi and Maharashtra and Rs 54 in Kerala," he said.