Tohra takes up Punjab’s rice millers issue with central govt
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/October 20,2023
Kanwarveer Singh Tohra, state secretary BJP, Punjab, incharge Amloh constituency has personally taken up the issues of Punjab rice millers with the union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Piyush Goyal
Tohra has written a letter to Piyush Goyal and requested him to save rice millers in the state of Punjab.
He said,” I, being the resident of State of Punjab, trying to put forth the issues/problems being faced by the rice millers in the state of Punjab. The economic activities are heavily connected with agriculture sector, I have been approached by a number of rice millers in the state of Punjab, who are aggrieved of the losses being faced by them due to blending of fortified rice Kernels (FRK) and are on strike for last number of days, which has adversely affected the lifting of paddy from the market yards and subsequently putting burden on the entire food chain process. Relevant to discuss that the millers, who have nothing to do with quality of fortified rice kernels (FRK) are being compelled to face consequences for the quality of fortified rice kernels (FRK) due to rejection of their stock but it has nothing to do with the rice millers. A rice miller can be held liable only for the quality of Custom Milled Rice (CMR) but not for the quality of fortified rice kernels (FRK), which is the sole responsibility of the manufacturer/supplier of fortified rice kernels (FRK). However, the state Government instead of redressing the grievance of the rice millers is running away from their responsibility and the innocent rice millers are being burdened with heavy costs/fines on account of quality of fortified rice kernels (FRK), which is totally beyond the control of rice millers. Surprisingly, the Chief Minister of Punjab, despite receiving repeated requests has not even bothered to meet the rice millers and the state government authorities are putting the whole blame on BJP led centre government for this adverse situation in Punjab. In fact, millers are being threatened to face consequences for exposing the corrupt practices of Punjab Government. The rice millers are left with no other option, except to hold a strike throughout the state.”
Tohra takes up Punjab’s rice millers issue with central govt“Due to these circumstances, no miller is lifting the paddy from the grain market, which has also adversely affected the labourers working in the mandis. Nearly 10 lakh labourers from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, are working in these mandis are facing financial problems due to this adverse situation. Due to these corrupt practices of Punjab Government, not only the livelihood of the rice millers is on stake but also these migrated labourers. This situation needs your immediate attention to protect their livelihood. By presenting this letter, I would request you to immediately direct the competent authorities to hold a detail enquiry in this matter, so that true facts qua the corrupt practices of stake holders of Punjab Government. It is further requested that keeping in mind the large public interest and in order to save rice millers in the state of Punjab, the penalty imposed on the rice millers on the pretext of quality of fortified rice kernels (FRK) may kindly be removed and the millers should not be held responsible for the quality of fortified rice kernel (FRK). It will also protect the interest of the millers and labourers, who are the most vulnerable part of our society and are working tirelessly towards building the nation” added Tohra
