Bengaluru, November 2: Launching a sharp attack on the Congress government over the recent increase in the prices of milk and curd, along with the proposed hike in KSRTC bus fares, BJP Chief Whip of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, N. Ravi Kumar, alleged that the government’s decisions reflect its “insensitive and anti-people” approach.
Reacting to Transport Minister Bhyrathi Suresh’s statement that KSRTC bus fares would be increased from November 5, Ravi Kumar said that the continuous rise in prices of essential commodities and services has made life extremely difficult for the common man.
“These anti-people decisions are illogical and irrational. They expose the complete failure of Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar in financial management and resource mobilisation,” he alleged.
Ravi Kumar claimed that since the Congress government came to power in 2023, milk prices have been increased four times. “The government is collecting ₹64 per litre from consumers but paying only ₹42 to farmers. Where is the remaining ₹22 going?” he questioned.
Alleging irregularities in the milk price hike, he said, “The government claims that the increase is ₹8, but the half-litre packet price indicates an increase of ₹6, which effectively means a ₹12 hike per litre. This is misleading the people.”
He further criticised the proposed KSRTC fare hike, stating that the government had already increased fares by 15 per cent and was now imposing another burden on passengers.
Ravi Kumar also accused the government of increasing the stamp duty from ₹10 to ₹100, stopping the Krishi Samman Scheme, increasing Metro fares by 50 per cent, and raising petrol prices by 29 per cent.
Targeting the government over local taxes, he said, “This money-hungry government has not even spared vacant sites. Penalties are being imposed on vacant sites and even for garbage found there.”
On farmers’ issues, Ravi Kumar alleged that the government had failed to provide the promised ₹2,500 compensation to farmers. “The government treated farmers like beggars by announcing such a small amount, and even that has not reached them,” he said.
He also accused the state government of betraying sugarcane growers. “The FRP across the country is ₹3,454 per quintal. While states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have announced additional SAP, Karnataka has not announced SAP so far. This clearly shows the government’s anti-farmer attitude,” he added.
“This is nothing but daylight robbery by an insensitive Congress government,” Ravi Kumar said.
He warned that the BJP would intensify its agitation against the alleged anti-people policies of the Congress government in the coming days.
