Millers voice concern over new custom-milled rice policy

With paddy procurement set to begin from September 23, rice millers in Karnal have expressed resentment over the delay in the registration process and new custom-milled rice (CMR) policy.

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A delegation of the rice millers under the banner of the District Karnal Rice Millers and Dealers Association met Rajesh Khullar, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, to voice their concern and submit their demands.

Currently, the deadline for CMR delivery for the current season is March 15, 2025, while earlier it was April 30 for the season 2023-24. Saurabh Gupta, president, Karnal Rice Millers and Dealers Association, said this deadline would impose unnecessary pressure on the millers. “We urge the government to extend the CMR delivery deadline to April 30,” Gupta said.

The rice millers also expressed resentment over not being allowed to begin milling during the purchasing period. “The paddy procurement takes place between October 1 and November 15, but millers are barred from starting milling process during this time. We should be allowed to commence milling during the paddy purchasing period itself,” he said.

The rice millers have also raised several other issues. One major demand is the revision of driage charges, which have been reduced from 1 per cent of the total stock to 0.5 per cent. They also raised issue related to milling charges. “These charges had been fixed at Rs 10 per quintal for nearly two decades, but in the past 20 years, operational costs have risen significantly due to increased electricity rates, labour wages, and inflation. We demand that the milling charges should also be revised,” Gupta said.

District Food and Supply Controller Anil Kalra said the rice millers have been asked to register their mills for the paddy procurement.