Rs 250 cr worth paddy getting rotten

Over 20 lakh quintals of paddy worth about Rs 250 crore procured over the last couple of years is getting rotten here with rice millers reluctant to lift the stock over some issues.

There are over 400 rice mills in VidarbhaRs s major cultivation belt of Gondia, Bhandara and Gadchiroli districts and the government purchases paddy at minimum support price (MSP) through its nodal agencies.

The government agencies have procured about 20 lakh tonnes of paddy but following dispute over few issues between government agencies and the rice millers, the latter were reluctant to lift the stock resulting in huge amount paddy lying abandoned and getting rotten, sources said. The government is also recurring loss as it has to pay crores of rupees towards godown rent.

 

Holding the administration responsible for the situation, the millers said the quality of paddy was now not appropriate for milling and the rates offered for milling were not adequate. The agencies are also offering only around 40 per cent of transportation charges compared to what was given till 2007.