Haryana : Karnal lags in delivery of custom-milled rice; 40% target supplied to FCI
Karnal has delivered only 40% of custom-milled rice to Food Corporation of India against the 90% May-end target, prompting notices to nearly 150 millers. Millers blamed inadequate godown space, labour shortages, and earlier Fortified Rice Kernel supply disruptions for delayed deliveries.
With only a few weeks left before the deadline for the delivery of custom-milled rice (CMR), Karnal district is significantly behind schedule, with only around 40% of the rice supplied to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) so far against the expected 90% target by the end of May.
As per the prescribed delivery schedule, rice millers are required to supply 15% of CMR by December-end, 25% by January-end, 20% by February-end, 15% by March-end, another 15% by May-end and the remaining 10% by June-end. The slow pace of delivery has prompted the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to issue notices to nearly 150 rice millers for failing to meet the targets.
“We have reviewed the status of CMR delivery by rice millers. So far, only around 40% of rice has been delivered. Notices have now been issued to nearly 150 millers directing them to ensure delivery before the deadline,” said Mukesh Kumar, District Food Supplies Controller (DFSC), Karnal.
Rice millers, however, blamed inadequate arrangements at FCI godowns for the delay. They alleged that millers from other districts, including Ambala, Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar, had also been attached to Karnal’s FCI godowns, resulting in shortage of storage space and labour for unloading rice consignments.
The Karnal Rice Millers and Dealers Association recently met the FCI General Manager and sought adequate arrangements for space and labour to facilitate smooth and timely delivery.
“The rice millers of other districts should be attached to their own district FCI godowns. Karnal millers have already prepared their rice and are ready for delivery, but we are not getting sufficient space or labour for unloading at the godowns,” said Saurabh Gupta, president of the Karnal Rice Millers and Dealers Association.
He said the association had raised the issue with the FCI GM two days ago and was assured that efforts would be made to resolve the problem.
“Despite having FCI godowns in our own city, we are unable to deliver rice on time. If we fail to meet the delivery targets, we may face blacklisting and penalties from the department,” Gupta added.
He further said rice millers had earlier faced problems due to the shortage of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), used under the government’s rice fortification programme. However, on February 27, the Union Ministry temporarily discontinued the fortification programme following demands raised by millers and other stakeholders.
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Source : The Tribune
