Millers reject new paddy policy

Lily

B.R
Staff member

Jalandhar, September 19:

The Punjab Rice Millers Association, which here today rejected the new paddy and rice policy of the state government for the coming paddy season starting on October 1, said its members would not enter into any agreement with the state government’s agencies concerned with regard to the issue.

Office bearers of the association’s Jalandhar and Ropar divisions met here today to discuss the new rice policy. “It is not acceptable to us in its existing form,” said Jaipal Goyal, a spokesperson of the association. Finding several faults in the new policy, he said it was completely loaded against the rice millers and had been framed with a mind to punish them (the rice millers).

“Neither we will allow the stacking of paddy in the premises our mills, nor we will do milling. If the government can do it itself, let it do it,” said Goyal. Under the new policy, the state government has issued directive that the millers would have to complete the paddy-milling process by March 31 and deposit the rice in the central pool accordingly.

Interest on the value of the pending paddy would be charged from the defaulting millers in this regard. Goyal said the state government’s March 31 deadline was illogical because there would be no space available with the FCI to stack the new rice. “If one goes by March 31 deadline, the FCI will have to make space available to stack 99 lakh tonne of rice by that date.

However, the FCI will be having roofed space to stack only 25 lakh tonne of rice,” said Goyal, adding that there was also no adequate technical staff available with the FCI to accept rice. Already about 19 lakh tonne rice prepared during the just ended paddy season was lying with millers.

 
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