High demand for Erode cows in DK, Udupi as regions struggles with milk shortage: Report
Mangaluru: Facing a persistent milk shortage, dairy farmers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are increasingly sourcing high-yielding cows from Erode in Tamil Nadu, a region known for its superior dairy cattle.
Over the past 18 months, more than 360 cows from Erode have been brought in with support from the Dakshina Kannada Milk Union Limited (DKMUL), The New Indian Express reported.
While local Jersey cows produce an average of 15 litres of milk per day, cows from Erode reportedly yield up to 30 litres, making them an attractive option for farmers aiming to boost output. DKMUL facilitates weekly visits to Erode’s Thursday cattle fair, where its officials, including veterinarians, accompany interested farmers.
These teams help verify the animals’ health and productivity of the animals before purchase, with DKMUL covering both transportation and insurance expenses.
Priced between Rs 60,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh, these high-yield cows are part of a broader strategy to bridge the gap between supply and demand. DKMUL currently produces around 3.97 lakh litres of milk daily—short of the 5 lakh litres required—forcing the procurement of additional milk from districts like Hassan, Mysuru, and Dharwad.
To address the shortage long-term, DKMUL is also investing in embryo transfer technology, wherein fertilised embryos from superior donor cows are implanted into local cattle. So far, 40 cows have undergone the procedure, which costs Rs 21,000 each. Farmers pay only Rs 1,000, with the rest subsidised by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), DKMUL, and the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, added the report.
The effort is already showing results. In 2025–26, daily milk collection has risen by 16% compared to the previous year. DKMUL president Raviraj Hegde attributes this rise to a combination of factors such as better pricing for milk procurement, distribution of silage (nutrient-rich green fodder), and strategic support to farmers.
At Rs 40.76 per litre for milk with 4.4% fat and 8.5% SNF (solids-not-fat), DKMUL currently offers the highest procurement price in the state, TNIE quoted Hegde as saying.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
