Procurement of paddy will restart today

KOCHI: The protest by mill owners in the procurement of paddy issue got solved today in a meeting with Food, Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil.

The mill owners' main demands were out turn ratio, GST, processing fee to be given related to natural calamities, and compensation during the flood. The Minister assured that a solution will be offered in one month. A temporary 3-month contract to procure paddy till then was made.

The out-turn ratio of paddy which was raised from 64.5% to 68% is under consideration by the court. The government’s demand is 64.5% paddy for every 100 kilos. As the case is with the court the Minister refrained from speaking more about it.

The decision to add a 5% GST processing fee of Rs.241 that Supplyco gives Mill owners on one quintal must be withdrawn was another demand by the mill owners. But the decision must be taken by the GST Council. The minister promised that the finance minister will raise this issue in the council meeting.

The minister also gave the assurance on giving the amount of processing charge, the amount of about Rs.15 crores to be given to mill owners during the 2018 floods as compensation.

Rice Mill Owners Association President, KK Karnana, Secretary, Varkey Peter, Pavizham Rice MD, NP Anthony, and department officials also attended the meeting with the Minister.