NEW DELHI (Commoditiescontrol) - Rice millers have sought interest free loans and other financial assistance from the central government for the revival of the country’s basmati industry and protection of farmers’ interest.
Punjab Basmati Rice Millers Association (PBRMA), industry body in Punjab, held a meeting recently at Fazilka in which issues difficulties faced by the industry in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, was discussed.
Putting across his point, PBRMA General Secretary Ashish Kathuria said, “The government is not providing required assistance to basmati growers in the country. It is high time the government came forward and procure basmati rice.” Basmati industry is incurring big loss due to this stance of the government but now growers will also suffer, he noted. As Iran imports Indian basmati on permit basis, which has affected prices in the domestic market. Consequently, local traders as well as rice millers have to suffer losses, said Kathuria.
Rice Miller Unable To Buy Paddy From Farmers
Rice millers are finding it difficult to buy paddy from farmers for storage. Obviously, the association will be left with no option other than to stay away from buying, said General Secretary, PBRMA. This will raise the difficulties of farmers.
Mr. Ashish said, “If the government wants to protect the interest of the farmers and health of the stricken industry, interest free loans should be given to the rice millers so that they are able to buy basmati rice from farmers.” PBRMA also urged the government to announce assistance for the revival of basmati industry and initiate rice procurement in case of any political ditch in way of rice exports.
“If government buys only 10 percent of basmati rice, it will not only raise rice prices but also farmers will get reasonable prices of their produce.”
Following this, Ashok Grover, President, PBRMA announced, “Millers will not go on operation in Punjab this year unless or until the government heed their problems and take appropriate steps to reduce their losses.” He said that millers will buy paddy only in those markets where they get the crop on credit with no interest in the first month and 12 percent of monthly interest for the subsequent months.
Millers will not sell their stocks of basmati sella and steam rice below the cost prices equal to Rs 5,300 and Rs 7,000/100kg respectively, said Grover.
Current prices of above mentioned basmati rice variety is around Rs 4,800 and Rs 6,000/100kg while average prices were at Rs 4,200/100kg in 2013 which declined to Rs 2,900/100kg in 2014. Since, crop is better and the industry is in crunch, basmati prices are expected to fall near Rs 2,500/100kg in future.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-40015532)
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