Raipur: The recent decision on custom milling, announced during the Chhattisgarh Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, has drawn sharp criticism from rice millers across the state. The Rice Millers' Association President, Yogesh Agrawal, voiced strong dissatisfaction, stating that the decision needs urgent reconsideration.

Key Issues Raised by Rice Millers

Yogesh Agrawal pointed out that the Cabinet failed to address critical concerns of the millers, including pending payments for the financial year 2022-23 and unresolved transportation expenses under the SLC. He accused the government of breaking promises made to the millers and leaving them in a state of despair and frustration.

“The Cabinet's decision has severely impacted the already struggling financial stability of millers. Payments for previous years were expected to be cleared to allow smooth functioning, but the opposite has occurred,” Agrawal said.

Demands of the Millers

The rice millers had previously halted custom milling operations, demanding that their legitimate concerns be addressed. The Association now insists on the following:

Immediate clearance of pending payments for 2022-23 before initiating any payments for 2023-24.

Removal of penalties imposed that are delaying bill processing.

Financial assistance to cover operational costs, including government-mandated expenses for milling.

Impact of the Cabinet Decision

Millers argue that the government’s current stance will further hinder the custom milling process. The inability to secure bank guarantees due to a lack of funds and the imposition of penalties has created a precarious situation for millers, with many unable to resume operations.

Agrawal highlighted, “The reduction in custom milling incentives was earlier accepted on the condition that pending payments would be cleared. However, the failure to honor this commitment has left millers with no choice but to reconsider their participation in the milling process.”

Future Implications

The Association fears that if the government does not address their concerns promptly, the custom milling process, a critical component of the state’s rice procurement system, could be severely disrupted. This, in turn, may affect the distribution of rice under various public schemes.

The Rice Millers' Association has urged the government to review its decision and engage in constructive dialogue to ensure fair resolution of the millers’ grievances, enabling them to continue their operations without further financial strain.