Fazilka millers’ strike halts auction of basmati paddy

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, October 28

The rice millers continued their strike today, demanding a hassle-free inter-state trade of basmati paddy. Due to the strike, the auction in Fazilka district could not be undertaken.

“The state government has failed to make arrangements for a hassle-free inflow of paddy to Fazilka district,” alleged rice miller Rajinder Gheek from Jalalabad. The millers alleged the paddy was being stopped at the inter-state border and other places by protesting farmers. With paddy-laden trucks stuck, millers claimed they were not able to do business.

They further alleged that many trucks carrying basmati variety have been been forcibly sent back, resulting in huge financial losses to them.

Rice miller Harish Setia said the District Food and Supplies Controller, Sangur, had written to the district police for making arrangements for a hassle-free transport of 1509 and 1121 varieties of basmati paddy across the Haryana border to prevent inconvenience to the traders, but no action has been taken on their request yet.

Notably, the rice millers and exporters are the bulk buyers of basmati paddy as it does not fall in the minimum support price (MSP) category. Many millers complained basmati paddy trucks were being stopped at the inter-state border as the protesters thought it’s non-basmati paddy.

“For the past five days, I have been waiting for the auction to take place at the local grain market, but there are no signs that the purchase will begin anytime soon,” said Mal Singh, a basmati grower of Mahatam Nagar village.

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