Kharge blames ‘Modinomics’ for inflation, defends milk price hike

Bengaluru, Oct 30 : Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policies for rising inflation while defending the state government's decision to increase milk prices by Rs 8 per litre from November 1, saying the move was necessary to safeguard the interests of dairy farmers.

"Inflation is rising because of Modinomics, not because of DK Shivakumar," Kharge said, hitting back at the BJP for criticising the Cabinet's decision.

Referring to the BJP's 2014 election slogan, 'Bahut ho gayi mehngai ki maar, ab ki baar Modi sarkar', he questioned whether inflation had declined since the party came to power. He argued that national economic policies, fuel taxation and rising prices of essential commodities were contributing to the increasing financial burden on households.

Accusing the BJP of adopting double standards on price revisions, Kharge said the party justified tax and price increases by the Centre in the name of national interest but criticised similar decisions by the state government.

Defending the milk price revision, he said Rs 7 out of the additional Rs 8 per litre would go directly to dairy farmers to help them meet rising fodder and operational costs. He also claimed that even after the revision, Karnataka's Nandini milk would remain cheaper than milk in BJP-ruled Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

The Cabinet decision, announced by Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, comes amid a decline of nearly 10 lakh litres in daily milk production in Karnataka following drought conditions. The issue has also triggered demands across party lines in the state legislature for measures to support dairy farmers.

Acknowledging the pressure on household budgets, Kharge said the milk price revision should be viewed in the context of the broader increase in the cost of living, including food grains, spices and fuel.

With the revised prices set to come into effect on November 1, the state government faces the challenge of balancing consumer concerns with the financial interests of dairy producers.