Only 350 of 1,400 millers registered so far; buying to begin from October 1.

Parveen Arora – Tribune News Service

Rice millers in Haryana are reluctant to register for custom-milled rice (CMR) for the 2026-27 procurement season, citing lack of clarity on pending rice, payments and procurement norms. With only around 350 of nearly 1,400 millers having registered so far, the issue has emerged as a fresh challenge for the state government ahead of paddy procurement, scheduled to begin on October 1.

At a meeting in Chandigarh on Monday, millers raised their concerns with Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Arun Gupta, Principal Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Amneet P Kumar, and Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Anshaj Singh. The major concern is around 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of CMR that millers fear could remain pending from the previous procurement cycle. They want an assurance that the entire balance quantity will be accepted.

Jewel Singla, state president of the Haryana Rice Millers and Dealers Association, said the Food Corporation of India had earlier fixed a paddy acceptance target of 55 lakh metric tonnes, while government agencies procured around 62 lakh metric tonnes last season and allotted it to nearly 1,400 rice mills.

On September 10, the Centre raised Haryana’s paddy acceptance target to 59.62 lakh metric tonnes for the 2025-26 season and extended the deadline for delivery of custom-milled rice against the enhanced quantity till September 30. “Millers have started delivering their pending rice, but the Food Corporation of India would not accept more than 59.62 lakh metric tonnes. Around 2.5 lakh metric tonnes will remain pending from the last season. Our demand is to accept the entire remaining rice,” Singla said.

Millers have also sought clearance of pending milling, holding, blending and transportation charges. Saurabh Gupta, president of the Karnal Rice Millers and Dealers Association, demanded strict adherence to the prescribed 17% moisture limit during paddy procurement and said agencies should not procure or allot paddy exceeding the limit. Singla also sought a transparent physical verification process, saying millers were not opposed to verification but should not face harassment.

The millers had earlier held protests and met senior state and Union government leaders over the issue.

However, officials said the meeting was positive and expressed hope that millers would register soon.

“The meeting with higher officials was positive as most of their concerns would be resolved. We are hopeful that millers will get themselves registered,” said Mukesh Kumar, District Food and Supplies Controller, Karnal.

Published Date: September 23, 2026