Finally,PAU-201 issue resolved

The Centre has allowed one-time relaxation of 4.75 per cent for damage and 28 per cent for broken grain,Kairon told the media. “The relaxation was only for last year’s leftover stock,as I have been told that the variety has not been sown this season,” he added.

Listing more good tidings for the state millers,Kairon said the date for milling paddy had been extended to January 31,2011. The entire rice would be picked up by the FCI as per its specifications and if found wanting,the sheller would sort the foodgrain or replace it from his stored stock,so that there was no chance of rejection,he said. The foodgrain would be sent for public distribution system,and as the Centre was picking it up,the question of the state suffering any revenue losses does not arise,the minister added.

He said machines used by the shellers for sorting have cameras that detected damaged grains and with a special fan throw it out. The cost of sorting,bringing the rice to the FCI standards and rate of low quality grain in the market were taken into account while calculating the upgrade charges. Rs 200 per quintal would be to paid to millers in Mansa and Bathinda,where PAU-201 was grown extensively,and Rs 100 per quintal in the rest of Punjab,Kairon said. About the mode of payment,he said,the shellers would add the upgrade charges in the bill and the amount would be paid directly by the FCI.

When asked if shellers have been brought around on the issue,he said it would be a win-win situation for them,as they would be able to clear their old stocks. “This move will in a way revive the mills,” he added. About 600 to 700 shellers,mostly of the Malwa region,who were on the verge of being blacklisted or had already entered the list,would gain maximum from the arrangement,as they could now start from a clean slate,he said.

About 15.5 lakh tonnes of rice— a mixed stock of PAU-210 and other varieties — was lying unmilled. He,however,added that the quantity of the PAU-201 in the stock was difficult to discern. With this,foodgrain worth Rs 3,200 crore to Rs 3,500 crore would be saved and sent to the PDS.

Asserting that there was no move to auction the rice,the minister said the system of payment of upgrade charges was financially and logistically more prudent. When asked about the fate of the produce of the current Kharif season,Kairon said as per government directions issued in May,sowing of PAU-201 was banned. “However,the agriculture department will be more competent to comment on this,” he added.

WHO GAINS
Millers: About 700 defaulting rice millers have now got more time to mill paddy and their apprehensions regarding no procurement of rice due to the mixing of PAU-201 in the stock have been subsided

Farmers: They can now get the right rate for their crop. If the auction regime came,private players could have brought down the rates,leading to a market crash

State: With the FCI picking up the rice and paying the upgrade charges,Punjab will not suffer any revenue loss

Centre: As the rice worth over Rs 3,200 crore goes to the public distribution system,the national food security will be taken care of

Millers divided,some return thanks to govt,others cry raw deal
Bathinda: Chaos prevailed at a press conference called by Punjab Rice Millers Association president Tarsem Saini here on Thursday to express “gratitude” to the Punjab government and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Badal to get the issue pertaining to the controversial paddy variety PAU 201 sorted out. While Saini thanked the government,other millers present there alleged that they were handed over a raw deal as they were bound to incur losses despite the relaxed specification package. Saini and his supporters had a tough time muting the dissenting voices and resume the conference,with an assurance that the issue can be discussed after the conference. “We are being promised Rs 200 in the package as cost of upgrade per quintal of paddy. But our losses will be more than Rs 300 a quintal,” said Surinder Kansal of Rama Industry.