Punjab : Rice millers protest shortage of space in godowns
Rice millers from Jalalabad, Fazilka district, protested outside the FCI office over a shortage of storage space for custom-milled rice. They claimed that millers from neighboring areas were prioritized, leaving local millers without sufficient space. With 1,900 truckloads of rice still awaiting storage, the protest intensified with a highway blockade, demanding immediate resolution.
Rice millers from Jalalabad in Fazilka district staged a protest outside the Food Corporation of India (FCI) office today, demanding more space in government godowns for storing custom-milled rice.
The millers, including prominent figures such as Harish Setia, Sumit Jindal, Jonny Kumar, and others, expressed concerns over the alleged shortage of space and claimed that rice millers from neighboring areas, such as Mallan Wala in Ferozepur district, were being prioritised for storage, while local millers were being ignored.
According to information gathered by The Tribune, the rice produced by 17 custom-milling rice millers in Jalalabad amounts to 2,347 truckloads, which need to be stored in government warehouses during the current season. Each truckload contains 580 bags of rice, weighing 50 kg each, equaling roughly 290 quintals per truck.
So far, 350 truckloads have been stored in the godowns, with an additional 70 truckloads from the Mallan Wala area also accommodated. However, the remaining 1,900 truckloads of rice are still awaiting storage. The millers have pleaded that local millers be given priority in the storage process, with outside millers being accommodated in any available space.
The protest intensified as the deadlock continued. In a show of solidarity, the millers later blocked the Fazilka-Ferozepur highway near Red Light Chowk in Jalalabad, disrupting traffic and demanding immediate attention to their concerns. Speaking at the protest, rice miller Harish Setia said, “If our demand for proper space allocation is not accepted, we will not end this dharna.”
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/rice-millers-protest-shortage-of-space-in-godowns/To read more about Rice News continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : The Tribune
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