Milk major Aavin has increased the price of ghee to ₹700 per kilo in a plastic container. This comes after the festive season discount ended. Industry sources reported that Karnataka Milk Federation’s Nandini had also raised ghee prices recently. However, Aavin's price remains ₹20 cheaper than that of Karnataka’s federation. Butter prices have gone up by 15%-20% in the last two months, which is a key reason for the hike. An Aavin source said, "Due to rain, milk production has been affected that has also led to an increase in butter prices." In September, Aavin rolled back ghee prices for the festive season but did not mention the GST reduction. Consumer activists questioned if GST savings reached customers. S.A. Ponnusamy of Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers and Employees Welfare Association said, "Usually the festive season for Aavin ends by Pongal. This time they seemed to have ignored that Christmas and Pongal too are festivals during which people buy ghee. Aavin has already not passed on the benefits of the GST roll back to customers. This is very unfair." Consumer activist T. Sadagopan added, "Already the quality of Aavin ghee was not as good as it used to be earlier. One cannot get the aroma of ghee if we open the bottle or even light lamps at home. It is the Ayyappa season during which time people from all over, many of them poor, will buy ghee to offer to the deity. Aavin should reconsider this hike." The price rise has stirred debate among consumers during this festive season.