Haryana rice millers seek clarity on broken rice, price of gunny bags

Amid the growing issues with the new Custom-Milled Rice (CMR) Policy 2025-26, a group of rice millers under the banner of Haryana Pradesh Rice Millers and Dealers Association met Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Rajesh Nagar at his residence in Chandigarh on Wednesday. They want clarity on broken rice as well as on the prices of gunny bags. The major change in the new CMR policy is the reduction of permissible broken rice in deliveries from 25 per cent to 10 per cent. Besides, as per the millers FCI offers Rs 6 for two 50-kg bags, while the market cost is around Rs 30 for two bags.

The association led by its state president Amarjit Chhabra demanded that FCI should provide plastic bags for rice lifting and ensure that up to 15 per cent broken rice was lifted from mills within 10 days.

Chhabra said Nagar had assured them that the state government would resolve all issues of rice millers on priority. The minister also told them that during the procurement season, farmers, commission agents, and millers would not face any difficulty.

Chhabra said several long-pending issues concerning rice millers, commission agents, and farmers were discussed, and major decisions were taken that would bring relief to all stakeholders. He also handed over a memorandum of demands to the minister on behalf of the association, demanding a letter regarding CMR rescheduling and pending bonuses would soon be issued to provide relief to the millers in earlier payments, bank guarantee/FDR would continue to be maintained at 1.5 per cent, with no proposal to increase it. Chhabra said the minister also assured that work had started on the file for the new bonus, which was proposed to be valid until June 30, 2026, similar to last year.

The state president said the meeting was productive due to the government’s proactive approach. “The decisions taken will not only bring relief to the rice millers but will also directly benefit farmers and commission agents,” he said.