Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday promised to increase the milk subsidy from the existing since 5 7 per liter if his party was voted to power in the Karnataka assembly elections on 10 May.
Addressing an election rally at Arsikere in Hassan district, Rahul Gandhi said that if the Congress is voted to power in the state, it will increase the milk subsidy by this much. 2 per litre.
Government of Karnataka gives 5 per liter subsidy to milk producers in the state for supplying milk to the Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (KMF), which owns Nandini, India’s second largest dairy brand after Amul.
The Congress leader also announced Krishi Nidhi Yojana for farmers in the state, under which he said Rs 1.5 lakh crore will be allocated for farmers in the next five years if the party comes to power in the state.
The Congress has been attacking the BJP in Karnataka for not protecting the domestic milk brand Nandini in the state. Congress leaders are accusing the ruling party of wanting to ‘kill’ Nandini by allowing Amul to enter the state. He also expressed apprehension that a shortage of Nandini products would be created to make way for Amul’s takeover.
Last month, Amul, owned by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, tweeted that a wave of freshness was coming to Bengaluru from Kengeri to Whitefield – from the city’s west end to the east – with the hashtag “LaunchAlert”.
Amul had said it would sell its milk and curd in Bengaluru, leading to widespread protests led by the Congress and the JDS. Congress leader Siddaramaiah claimed that it was a ploy by the ruling BJP to include Nandini in Amul.
Assembly elections are due in Karnataka on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.
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