Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Secures Key Concessions for Rice Millers, Stir Called Off

The Millers association of the state on Saturday called off their stir after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday assured that the state government will flag all their legitimate demands with the Government of India.

During meeting with the association, the Chief Minister said that the state government has already flagged the issue of shortage of space with the GoI after which the Union government has already agreed to free 40 lakh ton space in state by December 2024 and 90 lakh ton space by March 2025. He said that the GoI has given written assurance regarding it for movement of requisite wheat and paddy. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that FCI has already submitted plan for movement of the 15 lakh ton of wheat and paddy in state.

The Chief Minister said that 48 lakh wheat has been stored in owned/ hired godowns of the state government and the movement of which will done by March 2025. He said that the free storage will be then utilised for duly storing paddy for which the feasibility will be explored by a three member team led by Deputy Commissioner. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the committee will have members of FCI and state agencies which will monitor smooth movement of grains from stores.

Dwelling on another issue, the Chief Minister said that the millers who have paddy storage capacity of more than 5000 ton needs to give bank guarantee equivalent to 5% acquisition cost. However, he said that from now onwards instead of taking bank guarantee from miller, a lien will be taken in favor of the department on basis of land record of the land of mill. Bhagwant Singh Mann also gave his consent to return 10% CMR securities of the miller which were pending since long.

The Chief Minister also gave a major relief to the millers by agreeing that from now onwards millers will have to pay CMR at the rate of Rs 10 per ton. Acceding to another demand of the millers, he also gave nod to exempt the allotment of existing mills from physical verification. Bhagwant Singh Mann also agreed that the Milling for KMS 2024-25 will be started after FRK tender.

The Chief Minister also directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that harvesting of paddy does not take place from 6pm to 10 am for checking moisture content. He also asked Mandi Board to purchase moisture meter on the pattern of FCI adding that 17% moisture during purchase of paddy should be ensured. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government will also take up the issues of driage restoration from 0.50% to 1% of MSP, reimbursement of transportation charges for rice delivered outside the milling centre and not to charge backward movement charges and others with union government.