Mysuru hotel owners ask state to take back recent milk price hike

The Mysuru Hotel Owners' Association wants the State government to immediately take back the eight-rupee per litre hike in milk prices. The group warns that this increase will put extra pressure on an already struggling hotel business and make food more expensive for everyday buyers. Speaking at a press meet in Mysuru on Saturday, association president C. Narayanagowda and other members stated that running a hotel is getting harder due to higher costs for cooking gas, sugar, jaggery, rice, onions, vegetables, worker wages, power, water bills, and local taxes. They noted that milk prices have gone up by nearly seventeen rupees a litre in the last three years alone. This latest jump will also raise the rates of items like curd, ghee, and paneer, making everyday operations much tougher. The association agrees that farmers need support, but suggests the government give direct money help or subsidies to dairy farmers instead of raising milk prices for the public. Narayanagowda asked how the industry can survive when essential goods keep getting costlier, noting that the sector employs lakhs of people and buys local farm goods. Other office-bearers present at the meeting included trust chairman Ravi Shastri, vice-president Ugraiah, and executive committee members Mahesh Kamat and Arun K.S.

Context

Mysuru is a major cultural and tourist hub in Karnataka, where the local hotel and food industry plays a significant role in providing daily meals to residents and visitors alike. Changes in basic ingredient prices often lead to quick adjustments in local dining costs, directly impacting household budgets.