Chandigarh : Rice millers of Punjab are going through a difficult phase these days. FCI and central agencies are not lifting rice due to lack of space. This is causing losses to the millers. At the same time, one thousand shellers are in a position to close.
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar has written a letter to Union Food Supply Minister Prahlad Joshi regarding this matter. He has submitted a demand letter to Minister of State for Food Processing Ravneet Bittu in this regard. Also, he has demanded to settle this matter on priority basis.
85 percent rice delivery
Jakhar has written in the letter that the farmers of Punjab had produced a bumper crop of 185 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in the Kharif season 2023-24. Which was purchased by the state procurement agencies. This paddy was stored with the rice millers. Who had to deliver it to the FCI in the form of rice by March 31.
But till now only 85 percent of rice has been delivered. While the remaining stock is in the shellers. It has not been lifted. Its last date is 30 June, which is a cause of concern. While it is also affecting rice.
New rice mills are being affected
In a letter written to the Union Minister, Jakhar said that representatives of Punjab Rice Millers Association led by Tarsem Saini met him and told that 1000 rice millers are in trouble due to lack of lifting.
The financial burden on them is very high. In such a situation, 1000 units may stop working from next year. Because they are facing difficulty in repaying the bank loan. Last year 650 new rice mills were established in Punjab. Most of these new rice mills are in trouble.
Also cornered Punjab government
According to Jakhar’s letter, the arrival of new paddy will start from October. But if action is not taken soon in this direction, then the farmers will have to face trouble. He has also given some suggestions to the Center. On this occasion, Jakhar said that the Punjab government should also show seriousness in this matter and Centre should be contacted in this matter.