New online payment system puts brakes on paddy milling

Parvesh Sharma
Tribune News Service
Sangrur, November 29

The delay in the implementation of the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) allegedly by arhtiyas to make online payment to farmers for paddy purchase has applied brakes on milling of paddy in the state.

The authorities in the Department of Food and Civil Supplies said they had taken up the issue with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other Central government authorities.

“The dispute is between arhtiyas, who are not complying with the directions to upload details of farmers on PFMS portal, and the Central government. However, state rice millers are being troubled by the FCI without any reason. As many as 4,200 mills across the state are awaiting letters from the FCI to start milling of 1.60 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in the state,” said Gian Chand Bhardwaj, president, Rice Millers Association of Punjab.

He also met the senior authorities of the Department of Food and Civil Supplies and sought their help.

On November 19, the FCI wrote to the Principal Secretary, Department of Food and Civil Supplies, and sought information about the status of online procurement system.

“In every mill around 20-25 labourers and other staff are sitting idle. The rain may damage paddy stored in the open if milling is not started immediately. We fear huge losses in near future,” said Rajnish Kansal, a miller from Sunam in Sangrur.

“Farmers have filed two petitions in the High Court in September and October against the FCI and the state government for compelling them to register on the PFMS portal. Farmers have warned us of legal action if we share their bank account details with any purchase agency,” said Ravinder Singh Cheema, president of the Arhtiya Association Punjab.

Arshdeep Singh Thind, General Manager, FCI, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. “The state government has urged us to start milling. We have sent their request to our seniors,” said an official of the rank of Deputy General Manager.

Anindita Mitra, Director, Department of Food and Civil Supplies, said, “Our Principal Secretary has taken up the matter with the Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Department of the Central government. We are hopeful that the problem will be sorted out in the next two days.”