Millers refuse to stock paddy citing lack of trust

Malerkotla (The Uttam Hindu): The Rice Millers Association has expressed their inability to stock paddy on their premises, citing the new government rice policy. While they are open to allowing procurement agencies to store paddy under their "single custody" in the grain markets of Malerkotla and Ludhiana districts, the millers have voiced significant concerns about past harassment from Central and state food agencies. They fear that such treatment could lead to cumulative losses and have led to a breakdown of trust in the government's promises regarding available storage space during the procurement season.

In a memorandum submitted to the Malerkotla Deputy Commissioner, millers, led by Surinder Pal Sekhon and Krishan Kumar Verma, outlined their grievances. They emphasized that repeated harassment by government personnel on flimsy grounds has made it difficult for them to believe in the assurances offered by authorities. Despite their reservations about the new rice policy, they reiterated their willingness to support procurement agencies by providing their facilities for storage under regulated conditions.

Additionally, the millers called for reforms to improve the rice industry, suggesting that a portion of broken rice should be allocated to grain-based distilleries for ethanol production. They argued that reducing the permissible broken grain percentage for exports would attract more buyers in the international market. Highlighting the lack of stable profits in the rice milling sector, they urged the government to create a long-term policy that safeguards the interests of all stakeholders, including growers and mill owners, to ensure the viability of the industry.