BY Team MP

Kolkata: Catering to the demand of the Bengal Rice Mills Association (BRMA), the state government has increased the milling charge for conversion of paddy into rice.

Millers were receiving Rs 30 to Rs 20 per quintal from the Centre and Rs 10 from the state as milling charge.

The state which has been offering Rs 10 since 2016 will now give Rs 20.

The BRMA on Saturday held a meeting with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant where the latter were informed about the rise in milling charges. The association had threatened not to renew contracts for the ensuing 2024-25 Kharif season with the state Food department in demand of hike in milling charges. They were assured in a meeting at Khadya Bhavan on October 23 about fulfillment of their demands. They have now renewed their contracts.

Nabanna sources said the Chief Secretary agreed to hike the mandi labour charges at the rate of Rs 2 per quintal. Hence, the labour charges after the hike will be Rs 14, an increase from Rs 12 per quintal. The increase in mandi labour charges was also demanded by BRMA.

The state government, according to rice millers, has plans to offer subsidies for setting up new rice mills in the state. Presently, there are 575 mills operational in the state.

The procurement of paddy for the Kharif season started from November 2.

The bank guarantee fixed by the state government is Rs 35 lakh, against which the millers are receiving paddy worth 2.5 times.

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy was enhanced from Rs 2,183 to Rs 2,300 per quintal to safeguard the interest of small and marginal farmers.

The Food department is providing an incentive of Rs 20 per quintal, over and above the MSP, to the farmers who would sell their paddy in CPCs, mobile CPCs and DPCs. Such farmers will receive Rs 2,320 per quintal.

Published Date: November 11, 2024