Millers reluctant to lift paddy procured during strike period

Government procurement agencies in Haryana are facing a challenge as rice millers, who were on strike from September 27 to October 9, are now reluctant to lift the paddy procured during that period for processing under the Custom Milled Rice (CMR) policy. Under this policy, government agencies procure paddy, which rice millers process and return 67 kg of rice for every quintal of paddy received.

According to data gathered by The Tribune, the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department purchased nearly 20,000 MT of paddy, while Hafed procured around 23,000 MT during the millers’ strike. Currently, about 23,500 MT of paddy (5,000 MT with Food Civil Supplies and 18,500 MT with Hafed) is stored in various grain markets of the district.

Rice millers, however, have expressed concerns about the quality of the paddy procured in their absence, suspecting it may not meet the required standards.

“We are willing to lift the paddy procured before we resumed work under the CMR policy, but only after thorough quality checks,” said Saurabh Gupta, president, Karnal Rice Millers Association. He raised concerns about possible poor quality paddy being purchased during the strike and suggested that some of the stored stock might have been replaced by arhtiyas (commission agents). “Around 15,000 MT of procured paddy has been lifted by the millers. We are approaching them to expedite the lifting of the remaining paddy,” said Anil Kumar, DFSC. Amit Kumar, DM, Hafed, said 18,500 MT of paddy procured before the rice millers rejoined the CMR is still stored in grain markets.