*Rice millers threaten not to procure paddy from government agencies till dues are cleared
Chandigarh : The North Haryana Rice Millers’ Association addressing a press conference declared that nearly 500 rice millers from Ambala, Yamunanagar and Panchkula districts will not procure paddy from the government agencies and State Warehouse Corporation till their long pending payments for the amount over Rs 500 crore were cleared. They demanded a special package for the revival of the rice industry in the state. It was decided by the association chaired by Satpal Gupta state president, Vishal Arora Secretary and Manmohan Chottani Executive Member of the Association. The state president said the rice industry had been facing a huge loss due to the apathetic attitude of the government. He said, majority of rice millers are not able to run the rice milling industry in the state due to this incurring them heavy loss, forcing them to shut their business.
The President of the Association further said over 100 small and large mills had been closed in the state and more than 300 another rice mills are on the verge of closure, since amount worth over Rs 500 crore are pending with the State Warehouse Corporation, DFSC, Haryana Agro and HAFED and in-spite of repeated requests the concerned officials of all the agencies the long overdue amount is not being released, said Satpal Gupta. According to information, this year’s paddy crop is almost ready and likely to arrive in grain markets by September 15, but all rice millers have refused to accept stocks for milling till their old payments are released and they are facing harassment. The lifting of rice was delayed due to the shortage of space in government godowns for which rice millers are suffering heavy financial loss, even as on date the delivery of nearly 2.5 lakh ton rice is still pending, said Vishal Arora.
The Association members raised the point that there was no tax in Punjab, Delhi, UP and Rajasthan, while they were being charged 9.5% in the state, which should be waived off. During the addressing, they also announced that they will not procure the paddy having more than 17 per cent moisture. Among other demands were CMR delivery of rice should be 62% instead of 67% at present, the broken rice quantity should be increased from 25% to 35% and dryness quantity of rice should be increased to 2% from half percent at present. They also demanded rent for the storage of rice in their godowns, failing which they are not prepared to accept paddy stocks this season.
