States » SouthPosted at: Oct 30 2026 1:20PM


Milk Price Hike: Kharge blames Modinomics for inflation

Bengaluru, Oct 30 (UNI) Turning the opposition's criticism of Karnataka's proposed milk price hike into a political attack on the Centre, Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policies for rising inflation, asserting that the Rs 8 per litre increase was necessary to protect dairy farmers and not an administrative failure of the state government.
"Inflation is rising because of Modinomics, not because of DK Shivakumar," Kharge said, hitting back at the BJP over its criticism of the Cabinet's decision to revise milk prices from November 1.
Invoking the BJP's 2014 election slogan, 'Bahut ho gayi mehngai ki maar, ab ki baar Modi sarkar', he challenged the opposition to explain whether inflation had declined since the party came to power.
"Who is responsible for inflation? Is it the state government? How is the Consumer Price Index determined? Is it by the central government or by the state government?" he asked, arguing that national economic policies, fuel taxation and the rising cost of essential commodities were contributing to the inflationary burden on households.
In a pointed counterattack, Kharge accused the BJP of applying different standards to price increases by the Centre and state governments.
"Whenever they increase taxes, it is to serve the nation. Whenever they increase prices, it is to serve the people of India. But if we do it, they have a problem," he said, recalling how BJP supporters had defended rising petrol prices in the name of national interest.
Seeking to blunt the political fallout of the milk price revision, Kharge maintained that the increase was primarily intended to strengthen the dairy sector, with Rs 7 of the additional Rs 8 per litre going directly to farmers to offset escalating fodder and operational costs.
He also claimed that even after the revision, Karnataka's Nandini milk would remain cheaper than milk in BJP-governed Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
The Cabinet decision, announced by Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, comes against the backdrop of a nearly 10-lakh-litre decline in milk production in Karnataka following drought conditions. The issue had also prompted members across party lines in the state legislature to call for support to dairy farmers.
While acknowledging the pressure on household budgets, Kharge argued that the increase could not be viewed in isolation from the broader rise in the cost of living, including food grains, spices and fuel.
With the revised rates coming into effect on November 1, the government faces the challenge of balancing consumer concerns with the financial interests of dairy producers.
UNI BDN
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