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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday, June 18 said that the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has been directed to open Nandini outlets at eight metro stations across Bengaluru. This came after Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced in their June newsletter that Amul kiosks would be installed at ten metro stations, following a licensing agreement between BMRCL and the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), which owns the Amul brand.
Stations set to host these kiosks include Majestic, Indiranagar, Jayanagar, Banashankari, and others. BMRCL stated that the move is part of its strategy to increase non-fare box revenue through retail and advertising, especially after a recent fare hike. The kiosks will offer a wide range of products, including dairy items, chocolates, snacks, organic goods, and edible oils.
Speaking to the media outside his residence DK Shivakumar said that BMRCL had issued tenders inviting applications for setting up kiosks at 10 metro station locations. However, only Gujarat-based Amul had submitted a bid and subsequently opened stores at two stations.
“BMRCL called for tenders, but no one except Amul applied. KMF also did not apply. Now we have instructed KMF to apply, and out of the 10 places where tenders were called, Amul has applied through a global tender and opened stores at two of them. It is not right to close the stores that have been opened. I have said that KMF stores should be allowed in the remaining 8 places,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
He added that instructions have now been issued to KMF to submit their application for the remaining locations and to ensure that Nandini outlets are operational at eight metro stations.