Millers allege pressure to buy ‘moist’ paddy

Moga, October 28

High moisture content is creating a hurdle in the paddy procurement process in the district. As a result, the arrival of paddy in the grain markets has also turned slow.

The government has issued specific guidelines to purchase paddy with moisture content up to 17 per cent, but most of the foodgrain arriving in the markets is having a moisture content of more than 20 per cent.

Rice millers allege that they are forced to lift paddy from commission agents with high moisture content under pressure from the district administration and ruling party legislators, while farmers allege that they are being harassed by the government agencies on the pretext of high moisture content. Sources said at Charik grain market, the Markfed authorities were allegedly forcing the millers to lift “moist” paddy. Buta Singh, district manager, Markfed, said he would look into the issue. — TNS