Millers say the problem is not simply the extended deadline. The larger concern is whether adequate space will be available when the milling of fresh paddy starts as this year a bumper crop is expected.
Traditionally, 70–80 per cent of milling is completed by March and the rest by June-end. However, for the last couple of seasons, milling is extending to September.
A letter in this regard from the Under Secretary Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distributior Department of Food and Public Distribution was sent to Punjab Thursday. The letter also asked the Punjab government and the Food Corporation of India to take necessary steps to check recycling of rice, if any. It directed that field-level monitoring be undertaken to track the delivery of the balance CMR mill-wise according to a schedule submitted by state agencies. The FCI has also been asked to conduct age tests at the time of rice delivery under a protocol to be devised.
