Miffed Punjab rice millers say no to paddy allotment

By Bharat Bhushan

Punjab’s rice millers have decided to halt cooperation with the state govt ahead of the paddy procurement season, citing unpaid dues of ₹2,000 crore and unresolved issues with the food and supplies department. In their general house meeting here, they resolved against giving away jute bags, applying for allotment, or entering new deals.

Association’s member Gurdeep Singh Cheema said: “For four months now, the Punjab food and supplies department has made empty promises of refunding Rs 11 lakh secuirty that each miller pays, along with the transportation charges, and 10% security deducted over the last 6-7 years. Even last year’s user charges of ₹7.32 for each jute bag are unpaid despite repeated requests. It’s becoming impossible to do business with the govt.”

This paddy season, the Punjab govt expects to procure 185 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of paddy and covert 125 lakh MT to rice.

This article has been republished from The Times of India.