Rice millers resent govt’s custom milling policy

Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 4

Rice millers today expressed resentment over the state government’s agreement of storage and custom milling of paddy as per the custom milling policy formulated for the kharif marketing season (KMS). 

 They said the state government was pressurising them to execute agreement for storage and custom milling of paddy. Their pending demands, including settlement of milling bills, refund of levy security and user charges and payment at Rs 7.32 per bag had not been settled, they added.

Tarsem Saini, president, Punjab Rice Millers Association, said their association had repeatedly cautioned the government to initiate steps to create space for the rice acceptance during KMS 2019-20. 

They had demanded that otherwise, the government should make changes in the policy and agreement inorder to execute it over such quantity of paddy for which the FCI would be able to provide space, he added.

“It becomes difficult for millers to deliver custom milled rice in the second week of April due to start of the rabi season as the FCI staff is involved in the procurement and movement of wheat stocks. Therefore, the state government should take up the matter with the Centre Government to sort it out,” he said.

“The association will also hold a convention of all millers of the state at Windsor Garden, Ferozepur Road, Moga, on October 7,” he added.