Saturday, January 5, 2013

Kalahandi millers back in procurement process

The Indian Express (Bhubaneswar), Jan 5, 2013

05th January 2013 12:54 PM
The rice millers of Kalahandi joined the paddy procurement process on Thursday after six days of ceasework and strike.
The procurement was completely stalled in Kalahandi due to ceasework and non-cooperation of millers engaged for custom milling to lift paddy from mandies.
Under such circumstances, the harassed farmers had to guard their stock during peak winter nights. Adding to their woes was the unseasonal rain that was reported in some parts of the district on Thursday.
The rain also reportedly damaged paddy that was kept in the open in the mandies.
The rice millers of Kalahandi were protesting the decision of Civil Supplies Corporation directing the millers to deliver custom milled rice in 50:50 ratio to the rice receiving centre of the corporation and FCI.
The millers in a resolution asked the district administration not to implement the current direction and instead allow the millers to deliver rice in the ratio of 90:10. They alleged that for lifting one lot of rice of 270 quintals, the corporation is paying Rs  540 towards handling charges to the millers.
The millers have to spend at least three times more to deliver rice at the FCI godowns besides being subjected to harassment, the millers alleged.
 On Thursday, the district administration in consultation with the Civil Supplies Corporation officials agreed to accept the  formula of rice delivery in the ratio of 70:30 (70 percent for rice receiving centre  and 30 percent for FCI against the 50:50 decided earlier and the millers agreed to it.

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