Raipur: Chhattisgarh’s rice millers have announced a halt to custom milling operations, expressing their frustration over unfulfilled demands despite prior assurances from the state government. The decision was made during a statewide meeting held in Raipur on Thursday, attended by nearly 2,500 rice millers.

Key Issues and Demands

The millers have cited several grievances, including:

Pending Payments: Delayed disbursement of custom milling dues running into crores.

Transport Payment: Non-implementation of payments at State Level Committee (SLC) rates.

Incentives: Demand for the disbursement of the 2022-23 incentive installment, while the cabinet has only approved partial payments for 2023-24. The millers argue that these issues have severely impacted their financial stability, leaving them unable to furnish bank guarantees or deposit rice stocks.

Cabinet Decisions Fail to Satisfy

The state cabinet recently made decisions regarding the rice industry, including increasing the incentive for the 2024-25 cycle to ₹80 per quintal and approving partial payments for 2023-24. However, critical issues like SLC transport rates and previous year’s incentive payments were not addressed, leading to widespread disappointment among millers.

Protests Intensify

In a symbolic protest during the meeting, most millers wore black clothing to express their dissent. They labeled the situation as "breach of trust," claiming that the government had failed to honor its commitments. “The atmosphere was initially optimistic ahead of the cabinet meeting, but the decisions taken have left millers across the state disheartened,” said a participant at the meeting.

Call for Immediate Government Action

The millers have urged the state government to take prompt action to resolve the issues. They emphasized the need for quick implementation of agreed-upon solutions to avoid disruptions in the milling process, which could affect farmers as well. The millers also highlighted their repeated attempts to communicate their grievances to government officials and local representatives. However, with no resolution in sight, they were compelled to announce their decision to suspend operations temporarily.

Economic Challenges for Millers

The millers explained that their inability to receive payments has created significant financial hardships, making it impossible to sustain operations. They reiterated their commitment to supporting the government and farmers but insisted that the government must uphold its promises.

Impact on Farmers and the Milling Sector

The suspension of custom milling could have ripple effects on the agricultural supply chain, potentially causing delays in rice procurement and payments to farmers. The millers have once again appealed to the government to address their demands urgently, ensuring smooth operations and preventing further economic strain on the sector.