Rice Millers Meet Union Minister to Address Critical Industry Challenges
A delegation of rice millers from Punjab met with Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prahlad Joshi, in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting aimed to highlight the pressing issues currently affecting the rice milling sector in the state.
Key Issues Raised by Punjab Rice Industry Association
The meeting was attended by BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh and BJP Punjab President Sunil Jakhar. Bharat Bhushan Binta, President of the Punjab Rice Industry Association, led the delegation and presented several critical concerns to Minister Joshi.
Acute Storage Shortage and Transportation Demands
Binta emphasized the severe shortage of storage space for rice in Punjab. He urged the government to increase the monthly rice transportation from the state to 10 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) to alleviate the pressure on millers. This measure is seen as essential to prevent spoilage and manage inventory effectively.
Delays Due to Inadequate Fortified Rice Kernels Supply
Another significant issue highlighted was the delays in milling operations caused by the insufficient supply of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK). Binta requested the government to accept the delivery of 25 lakh metric tonnes of non-FRK rice. This step would help streamline the milling process and reduce operational bottlenecks.
Call for AI-Based Automation and Transparency
The delegation also advocated for the urgent implementation of AI-based automatic grain analyser machines in all warehouses. These machines are expected to enhance transparency and efficiency in quality inspection, ensuring fair practices across the supply chain.
Allegations of Irregular Transport Allocations
Serious concerns were raised regarding the alleged irregular allocation of rice transportation by the DGM, FCI Chandigarh office. Binta stated that due to space constraints, millers are forced to transport rice to distant locations and other states without receiving freight reimbursement from the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
He further alleged that millers are compelled to submit undertakings stating they will not claim freight charges, a practice described as arbitrary and unjust. This has led to financial strain and operational inefficiencies for many millers in the region.
The meeting underscored the need for immediate government intervention to address these multifaceted challenges and support the sustainability of Punjab's rice industry.
