New custom-milled rice (CMR) policy 2025, issued by the Haryana Govt. on late Thursday triggering resentment among rice millers and dealers in the state, who are now demanding amendments. A significant change in the CMR policy is curtailment in the permissible limit of broken rice in deliveries from 25% earlier to just 10% now. According to Rice millers, this move will add to their burden, as a fracture during milling is a natural process. Not only this, but they also sought clarity on the remaining 15% broken rice.
What does the President of Karnal Rice Millers Association say?
Saurabh Gupta, President of Karnal Rice Millers Association, said that they have demanded clarity on 15% remaining broken rice as it is difficult to go with CMR policy in such circumstances. In the new policy, the government fixed Rs 2.23 per quintal for additional milling cost to decrease the broken rice, Rs 1.23 per quintal for additional storage cost, and Rs 3.33 per quintal for packaging charges for broken rice. Against these rates, the processing and handling cost of broken rice is around Rs 25 per quintal
No transport facilities for shifting paddy
In addition, Rice millers expressed dissatisfaction as the state government has refused to provide transport facilities for shifting paddy from grain markets to FCI godowns. Gupta stated that they and farmers had to combat challenges during the season time as transporters get tenders without a sufficient number of vehicles. Fake vehicle numbers are given to the administration by a couple of transporters, who had already been highlighted in the past.
Furthermore, Rice Millers demanded that FCI godowns be allotted closer to their units. However, they expressed happiness with one provision in the policy, that is, the extension of the CMR policy delivery deadline to June 30.