Notice for less than 1% paddy shortage unfair, say millers

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, February 23

Unhappy with the recovery notices issued by procurement agencies to millers for shortfall of paddy detected during physical verification, especially to the millers having less than one per cent shortfall, the millers have accused the agencies of going against the agreement by not giving the benefit of one per cent driage.

As many as 193 rice mills in Ambala were allotted 9,09,000 MT paddy for custom milling. Of this, shortfall of 9,401 MT paddy was found in 185 rice mills during physical verification. The remaining eight mills had excess paddy.

The majority of rice mills (136 rice mills) had less than 1 per cent shortage, 34 mills had 1 to 2 per cent, eight mills had 2 to 3 per cent, four mills had 3 to 4 per cent while three mills had 4 per cent and above. Of the total, 115 mills are under Hafed, 72 under food and supplies department and the remaining six under the warehousing corporation. The agencies had issued notice to millers to deposit around Rs 20 crore.

Raj Kumar Singla, president, Ambala Rice Miller Association, said, “The recovery notices sent to millers having less than one per cent shortage is wrong and against the agreement. The millers are not willing to deposit the amount but are being forced by the agencies.”

A miller claimed that they get paddy (Grade ‘A’) containing 17 per cent moisture. It is required to be dried up to a level of 13-14 per cent moisture because the miller has to deliver custom milled rice to the government.

The drying process is essential before the start of rice milling. Haryana Rice Millers and Dealers Association chairman Jewel Singla said, “The Haryana Government is setting a wrong example and it will widen differences between millers and government. We have no objection if the recovery is made from wilful defaulters and from those having higher percentage of shortfall, but recovery from millers having less than one per cent shortage is unacceptable.”

Shortfall found in 136 mills

• A shortfall of 9,401 MT paddy was found in 185 rice mills during physical verification
• A majority of rice mills (136) had less than 1% shortage, 34 mills had 1 to 2 per cent, eight mills had 2 to 3 per cent, four mills had 3 to 4 per cent while three mills had 4 per cent and above
• The government has decided to give the benefit of 1 per cent driage to millers upon full delivery to the FCI