Rice millers accused of flouting land norms, officials of connivance

Jaswant Shetra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 21

A large number of rice mills in Ludhiana district are being run in blatant violations of the norms laid down by the government. Even the Food and Civil Supplies Department have failed to check these gross violations.

According to sources, a majority of rice mills do not comply with land related norms. “These rice mills are being run in an illegal manner in connivance with officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department,” stated an official on condition of anonymity.

As per rules, 1.5 acre land is required for installing a rice mill of one tonne capacity while 2 acre land is required to set up two tonne rice mill. Similarly, 4 acres are required to set up rice mill with five tonne capacity.

“Most of the rice mills are being run in violation of norms. A rice mill having capacity of 5 tonnes must have 4 acres of land but numerous rice mills do not have required land,” claimed RTI activist Kapil Bansal.

According to Bansal, he raised the issue with officials concerned and even lodged a complaint. “The authorities concerned did not carry out any investigation. I demanded record of some rice mills under the Right to Information Act. However, I was only provided with record of those rice mills, which comply with norms, while no record of mills which flouting rules was provided to me,” said Bansal.

District Food Controller Rakesh Bhaskar denied of having any information about rice mills violating land related norms. “I have not received any complaint related to rice mills violating land norms. There might be some rice mills which were started several years back when there was no land related rules. The department has already directed such rice mill owners to fulfill the conditions.”