Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar defended the ₹8/litre milk price hike approved by the Cabinet, citing drought, falling production, and farmers migrating milk to neighbouring states. Of the hike, ₹7/litre goes directly to farmers, raising procurement price to ₹42. Effective November 1, the revision could generate ₹1,850–2,100 crore additional annual income for 28.84 lakh dairy farmers.