‘Goodness Kerala wakes to’ leaves Milk Co-operatives Minister Chinchu Rani shocked and fuming

Initially, ₹2 per litre was hiked on the Milma Rich, which is sold in green colour packets, and ₹1 on Milma Smart sold in yellow colour packets.

After the minister vented her anger in public, the increase in Milma Rich’s price was rolled back. The hike in Milma Smart’s price remained unchanged.

“The milk prices were increased all of a sudden and we were unaware of it,” Rani told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.

“I don’t know why such a hike was announced. I am not sure whether it was due to a lack of exact change available with the customers. Anyway, I will seek an explanation from Milma,” she added.

On Thursday, 20 April, Milma announced a partial withdrawal of the price hike after discussions with the minister.

The latest hike in milk prices came months after milk prices were hiked by ₹6 for the most consumed blue colour milk packets as well as ₹4 for Milma Smart packets.

The dairy farmers in Kerala expressed fear that the frequent hike in Milma milk prices would help private players. It would make the co-operative roll back the incentives that are currently being provided to the farmers.