Appeasing the protesting rice millers during the ongoing paddy procurement season, the Punjab Government on Wednesday accepted their “genuine” demands including slashing of Rs 10 lakh non-refundable levy security to Rs 7.25 lakh refundable security, waiving off interest on late delivery of paddy in case of space shortage, among others.

The decisions were taken during a meeting of Punjab Government, held under the chairmanship of the state Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, along with the prominent rice millers of the state.

In the light of the ongoing strike by a “politically-motivated” group of rice millers, during the meeting, several decisions were taken, said Ashu.

 “To save the farmers from any harassment and keeping in mind genuine demands of the rice millers, the Punjab Government has decided to slash Rs 10 lakh of levy security (Rs five lakh refundable plus Rs five lakh non-refundable) to Rs 7.25 lakh refundable levy security,” he said adding that the decision would bring respite to the rice millers.

Bank Guarantee shall be applicable only to millers for quantum of paddy stored over and above 5000 MT instead of 4000 MT, he said.

Ashu said that the rice millers, who apply before October 10, 2019, would be allotted paddy on priority and without pro rata cut, the quantum of the release orders of those millers would also be increased. Those rice mills, which had opened last year and the year before, would be treated as old mills, he added.

Due to shortage of space, if the miller is not able to deliver rice, he would not have to pay any interest, said Ashu adding that to waive off that interest on quality cut, a case has already been favourably forwarded to the Finance Department.

He informed that only one particular group with vested interests is on strike and is trying to misguide other rice millers, due to which out of total around 4,000 rice mills in the state, only 1500 have been allotted till date.

The Minister urged the millers to apply before October 10 and avail maximum benefits being provided by the Punjab Government.

To allay the apprehensions of the millers regarding shortage of space, he reiterated the State Government’s commitment to create space. He also informed that FCI has planned a movement of seven lakh MT rice every month which shall lead to sufficient creation of space in the near future.

The Minister also assured the millers that no negative impact shall have to be borne by them in case of shortage of space.