Kerala seeks Centre’s intervention to stop K’tka’s Nandini Milk selling in state

Thiruvananthapuram: The LDF government in Kerala has expressed deep concern over the entry of milk and milk products from the popular Karnataka brand Nandini into the state. The government has vowed to strongly oppose this move, citing the need for permission from the respective state authorities.

J Chinchurani, the State Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Milk Cooperatives, revealed that Kerala has filed a complaint with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to address the issue. The minister stated that further action would be taken after the NDDB holds discussions with Nandini.

Chinchurani emphasized that both Nandini, the trade name used by the Karnataka Milk Marketing Federation (KMMF), and Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation's (KCMMF) Milma are government-run organizations. Therefore, when entering another state, prior permission from that state should have been obtained.

Responding to concerns about Nandini selling its products at significantly lower prices, approximately Rs 7 less than Milma, the minister stated that such a situation was not acceptable. She mentioned that when Kerala faced a milk shortage in the past, Nandini milk was sold in the state with permission from the Karnataka government, but its prices were not lower at that time.

When asked about the position of dairy farmers on the matter, the minister revealed that many farmers had reached out to the government, expressing their support for Milma as the sole operator in Kerala.

Chinchurani also dismissed the possibility of Nandini sourcing milk from dairy farmers in Kerala. She emphasized that there are ample dairy organizations operating under cooperative laws in the state, all of which supply milk to Milma. The minister added that the government has been supportive of dairy farmers through subsidies, adjusting milk prices as needed, and has plans for additional schemes to aid them in the future.

In April of the previous year, the KCMMF criticized the aggressive entry of certain state milk marketing federations into markets outside their respective states, including KMMF's initiative to open outlets in parts of Kerala to sell Nandini brand milk and other products. Milma described this move as "unethical" and a breach of cooperative principles that have long benefited millions of dairy farmers.