Paddy season is here, ghost of ‘rejected’ fortified rice back to haunt state millers
Chandigarh: The FCI has ordered rice millers to replace 600 stacks of fortified rice kernels (FRK) from the 2022-23 season due to micronutrient deficiencies. This move has intensified the conflict between Punjab’s government and millers, causing significant financial strain. Millers face costs for replacement and storage, impacting the upcoming paddy procurement season.
Chandigarh: The issue of fortified rice stocks not adhering to fixed levels of micronutrients is back to haunt rice millers, with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) asking them to replace 600 stacks of fortified rice kernels (FRK) from 2022-23 marketing season. The decision is set to escalate the ongoing slugfest between Punjab govt and millers ahead of the upcoming paddy procurement season.
On Wednesday, FCI regional office gave instructions for replacement of beyond rejection limit (BRL) stocks due to mandatory testing and micronutrient deficiencies found in inspections during 2022-23 marketing season. Acting on this, all area managers of Punjab have stopped the delivery of rice to all mills concerned for 2023-24.
According to millers, rejection of one stack (1 stack is 29 metric tonnes) means loss of Rs 10 lakh as stock can only be sold to distilleries with a loss of Rs 15 per kilogram. For replacement, millers will need to procure rice from the market at Rs 40 per kg. Also, an 18-month godown rent from FCI will also be collected from millers.Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice-president, Punjab Rice Industry Association, said, “The delivery of rice for 2023-24 has been stopped until the 600 ‘rejected’ stacks for 2022-23 are replaced.
It is a U-turn by the ministry of food and public distribution as after the samples were rejected initially, these were passed during resampling by FCI. But when FCI sought a go-ahead to move the stocks recently, the ministry said there cannot be any appeal by stakeholders against rejected samples.”“This development has put Punjab’s rice millers in a precarious position, as they face the possibility of having to replace substantial amounts of stock, potentially incurring significant financial losses.
These 600 stacks have been lying in the FCI godowns for the past 530 days. Mills cannot bear this loss,” he added.On Thursday, FCI asked divisional managers to “take necessary action to replace stocks pertaining to KMS 2022-23 where micronutrients were detected on higher side than the permissible limit during the appeal or review appeal in ministry”. The Centre distributes fortified rice under various welfare schemes aimed at tackling malnutrition. Fortified rice, which is rich in essential minerals and vitamins, has been an important component of various government nutrition schemes supported by the World Bank .
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