Rice millers threaten stir over pending demands

Tribune News Service

Moga, February 14

Up in arms against the Centre, the Punjab Rice Millers’ Association has threatened to launch an agitation if its long-pending demands are not met.

The association has been demanding a suitable milling policy for the rice industry.

Association president Tarsem Saini said the milling charges fixed about 15 years ago should be reviewed and hiked to Rs 80 per quintal, keeping in view the huge escalation in cost of inputs such as electricity, minimum wages and machinery, etc.

Saini alleged that the field staff of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) was exploiting the millers on quality issues in the absence of any scientific technical standards for the acceptance of custom milled rice. Most of the millers were giving hefty bribe to the FCI staff, which needs to be stopped by setting up specialised laboratories at the district headquarters, he added.

Besides this, Saini has also urged the state to clear the pending paddy milling bills, gunny bag charges and refund of securities lying with various government agencies for many years.

On February 23, the association will be holding a meeting of the state executive and all district bodies in Patiala to press for these demands.