Millers seek relaxation in rice supply to FCI

Tribune News Service

Ambala, October 19

Concerned with poor quality of paddy, rice millers have been seeking relaxation in permissible limits of discoloured, broken and damaged grain while delivering rice to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

“The untimely rain has affected the quality of paddy. Millers are likely to face issues like discoloured, damaged and broken grain and lower yield this year. Millers who procure paddy have to return 67 kg rice per quintal to the FCI,” said Raj Kumar Singla, president of the Rice Millers Association, Ambala City.

“Three per cent damaged, 3 per cent discoloured and 25 per cent broken rice are allowed. This year, there is a need to increase the permissible limits to 5 per cent damaged, 5 per cent discoloured and 30 per cent broken. The yield is likely to remain around 64 kg, which is a matter of concern,” he said.

“Moisture content is still on the higher side. The permissible limit is 17 per cent, but the average moisture in the stock is above 21 per cent. In some cases, the moisture is over 24 per cent. The stock cannot be left in the market for drying as it will choke the market. The grain is being dried by millers,” he said.

“Rain has caused losses to farmers, commission agents, labourers and millers. The state body of millers has apprised the state government of the issues. We want the state government to put up our demands before the Centre so that the FCI can increase permissible limits,” said another miller.

Some millers on Wednesday raised the issue with Ambala Commissioner Vivek Joshi. He said a Central team had been checking the quality of grain by taking samples from grain markets and a decision was likely to be taken by the Centre in this regard soon.