Rice millers threaten indefinite strike over demands

Wanaparthy: An indefinite strike by rice millers under the united Mahbubnagar region was threatened by the Telangana State Rice Millers’ Welfare Association here on Wednesday for ensuring “safety of rice millers, future of farmers and livelihood of workers” Speaking at MB Garden, under the leadership of the united Mahbubnagar Telangana State Millers’ Association, TSRMWA president Peddi Ganapathi Reddy said rice millers across Telangana are being subjected to various difficulties. He demanded the government immediately stop the sudden raids being conducted by the Vigilance and Enforcement Task Force and initiate discussions with millers.

Reddy wanted the CMR agreements be drafted in a way that is fair and workable for both parties; milling ratios be fixed separately for Kharif and Rabi crops through test milling; milling charges be increased to Rs 150 per quintal; old gunny bags be priced at Rs 11; Civil Supplies milling transport, driver and custodian charges pending since 2014 be paid immediately.

He demanded waiver of the 25% penalty and 12% interest imposed; tender price for Rabi 2022–23 paddy be made fair and reasonable; rice millers be recognised as agricultural allied units and provided 200 HP electricity supply under LT category; FAQ-quality paddy be supplied to millers; otherwise, rice output should be determined based on the actual quality of the paddy. Reddy stated that the ‘non welfare default millers’ who became defaulters due to government policies should be allowed to settle their accounts fully and pay dues in four instalments. A policy should be framed to ensure Kharif paddy is given entirely to raw millers and Rabi paddy is accepted only as boiled rice; FCI’s stringent norms should be relaxed to some extent. He urged the government to address these issues immediately. The presidents, secretaries, millers, and others from the united Mahbubnagar districts attended the association meeting.

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