Punjab millers call off strike, CM Bhagwant Mann’s intervention yields results

The Chief Minister further said that 48 lakh tonnes of wheat are currently stored in state-owned and hired godowns, which will be moved by March 2025. The freed storage space will then be used to store paddy, and a three-member team led by the Deputy Commissioner will explore the feasibility of this. The committee, comprising FCI and state agency members, will monitor the smooth movement of grains from storage facilities.

Addressing another issue, the Chief Minister noted that millers with a paddy storage capacity exceeding 5,000 tons currently have to provide a bank guarantee equivalent to 5% of the acquisition cost. However, moving forward, a lien on the mill’s land records will replace the bank guarantee requirement. Mann also agreed to return 10% of the Custom Milled Rice (CMR) securities pending for a long time.

The Chief Minister provided further relief by setting the CMR rate at ₹10 per ton. He also accepted the millers’ demand to exempt existing mills from physical verification during allotment and announced that milling for the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25 would commence after the FRK tender.

Additionally, Mann directed Deputy Commissioners to ensure that paddy harvesting does not take place between 6 pm and 10 am to check moisture levels. He also instructed the Mandi Board to purchase moisture meters, similar to those used by the FCI, to ensure 17% moisture during paddy procurement. The state government will also take up issues related to the restoration of driage from 0.50% to 1% of the Minimum Support Price (MSP), reimbursement of transportation charges for rice delivered outside milling centres, and eliminating backward movement charges with the Centre.