Press statement by Telangana Rice Millers Association

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Rice millers across the Telangana state have come out against the latest policy of the central government, scrapping the levy of rice by Food Corporation of India even while continuing with the custom milling of paddy.

They have got support from opposition parties, as declared at a demonstration organised by the Telangana Rice Millers Association here on Thursday. TDP floor leader Errabelli Dayakar Rao and state president L.Ramana, Ponnam Prabhakar from Congress, Chada Venkat Reddy from CPI announced their support to the millers’ agitation.

A press statement by the Association alleged that close to 2000 rice mills in the state are facing closure owing to scrapping of levy. Pointing out that the custom milling charges too remained unchanged over long period, the millers demanded Rs.75 per quintal of paddy for raw rice and Rs.100 per quintal for boiled rice. The output of raw rice has dropped to 62 per cent while the centre is insisting on delivery of custom milled raw rice at 67 per cent, they claimed. Addressing the millers, president of the South India Rice Millers Association Govardhan Reddy said the government was encouraging corporate feudalism by driving out small players so that the field is open for corporate giants.

Demands by the Association include restoration of levy procurement, recognition of rice mills as procurement centres, and test milling of paddy at rice mills before fixing percentage of output among others.