Chandigarh: In a major reprieve to the Rice Millers of the state, the Union Food and Public Distribution Ministry had agreed to grant another extension for delivery period of Rice pertaining to Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2012-13.
Disclosing this here today Punjab Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Adaish Partap Singh Kairon said that he had called on the Union Minister of state for Food & Public Distribution Mr. KV Thomas at his office in New Delhi on December 5, 2013 to seek his personal intervention regarding extension of delivery period of rice for Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2012-13. Mr. Kairon further said that during the deliberations he had impressed upon the Union Minister to consider this issue in the background of actual requirement of rice in the central pool and also in the interest of the Rice Millers of Punjab who could not deliver rice to FCI in time because of various reasons including shortage of storage space for rice.
GOI agrees to grant another extension for delivery period of rice pertaining to KMS 2012-13
Decision comes after Kairon had taken up this matter with Thomas
Mr. Kairon apprised the Union Minister that it was worth mentioning that till date, more than 3.25 lac MT of rice worth Rs. 800 Crore was pending for delivery to the FCI. Flagging up another matter regarding the distribution of wheat to the state beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)/State’s New Atta Dal Scheme Mr. Kairon urged Union Food Minister to ensure fixation of rates of transportation, labour, Depot Holders’ commission and others at the earliest so that State could accelerate its pace of preparedness for wheat distribution from all aspects.
Mr. Kairon further said that he had requested the Union Minister for immediate allocation and release of wheat under NFSA so that state beneficiaries could be delivered wheat at their doorsteps. Acceding to the points raised by Mr. Kairon, the Union Food Minister agreed to grant another extension for delivery of Rice pertaining to KMS 2012-13. Mr. Kairon said that this decision of Government of India would provide another opportunity to defaulting rice millers to deliver the rice and clear all their dues pertaining to 2012-13.
Pertinently the Government of Punjab had sought this permission earlier too but Government of India declined it on two occasions. Mr.Kairon reiterated that the decision of the Union Government was an outcome of intensive parleys and constant persuasion of the state government to impress upon centre to take a call on this important issue forthwith and our efforts have bore fruits, added Mr. Kairon.
Meanwhile Secretary food, Punjab Mr. DS Grewal, categorically said that this would be the last opportunity for the rice millers to deliver rice for 2012-13 and Government of Punjab would not approach Government of India for further extension at all. Responding to all issues raised by Mr. Kairon, the Secretary Food, Government of India, who was also present on the occasion, assured that all these issues would be decided/ resolved in about a week’s time.