Drop Nandini milk price hike proposal, Mysuru hoteliers urge CM

The Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association has urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to drop the proposal to increase the price of Nandini milk and curd, saying the move would add to the burden on consumers and further squeeze small hotel businesses.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, association president C. Narayanagowda said hotel operators were already struggling with rising prices of essential commodities and increasing operating costs.

He said the prices of foodgrains, cooking oil, pulses, paneer, spices, onions, potatoes and garlic had increased by 15% to 20% over the past 10 months. Cooking oil alone had become costlier by around ₹40 a litre, while coffee powder prices had also risen substantially.

Hotels were also facing a shortage of workers and rising wage bills, besides higher electricity, water and commercial LPG costs, he said. The recent hike in Nandini ghee prices had further added to the burden on the industry.

“Under these circumstances, any increase in milk and curd prices will make it more expensive for the middle class to manage their daily needs and will further affect the hotel industry,” Mr. Narayanagowda said.

He appealed to the Chief Minister to withdraw the proposal and refrain from increasing the prices of Nandini milk and curd, keeping in mind the interests of consumers and thousands of hotel workers.