Chandigarh, 28 September(Wishav Warta): Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday promised strict adherence by his government to the 48-hour deadline for lifting of paddy and payment to farmers for their crop in the ensuing Kharif season.
Addressing a meeting of rice millers, led by All India Rice Miller Association and Punjab State Rice Millers Association president Tarsem Saini, the Chief Minister also promised revival of sick rice milling units to be taken up on priority by his government.
Pointing out that his government had got the issue of Cash Credit Limit (CCL) sorted out, the Chief Minister said everything was in place for smooth procurement of paddy in this season, when an estimated 1.82 lac metric tonnes of the crop was expected to come into the market, as against the previous season’s target of 1.65 lac metric tonnes.
The Mandis were witnessing 182% increase in arrival of cotton crop as compare to last year, as a result of the collective efforts of the state government, PAU and farmers, backed by favourable weather conditions, said the Chief Minister, expressing satisfaction over the bumper production of cotton.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to early redressal of the various problems faced by the beleaguered industry, Captain Amarinder pointed out that his government had recently announced a One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to provide an opportunity to all defaulter rice millers to clear their past dues. Around 1500 of the total 3500 defaulting and sick milling units would benefit by the scheme, he said, adding that this was one of the several measures initiated to bring the industry back on the path of progress.
Responding to a demand from the rice millers, Captain Amarinder said he would take up the issue of Bardana use and transportation charges with the Central Government next week at his meeting with Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. On the issue of millers in surplus paddy districts being given more paddy at a rate of 140% of their original entitlement, he assured that no miller would be forced to mill paddy beyond his capacity and only those willing to mill extra paddy would be considered.
