Lead towards accelerating lifting of Paddy from mandis during Kharif Marketing Season
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
The Punjab Government led by the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stands fully committed to safekeep the interests of every stakeholder connected with the procurement process. The rice mill owners too are an important part of the procurement operations.
It was keeping in view this aspect, the Punjab Cabinet yesterday gave nod to the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme 2025 for the rice millers.
Disclosing this here today, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that till 2024-25, a total of 1688 millers owe Rs. 12000 crore to the State Government which includes interest to the tune of Rs. 10000 crore and Rs. 2181 crore as principal amount. Under the new OTS policy, the millers need to pay half the Principal amount.
The defaulter miller can apply their case on the Anaaj Kharid portal within one month of the notification. They can either promptly pay the recovery amount or exercise the option of paying recovery amount in lump sum manner in one month or in 3 monthly installments.
Divulging more, the Minister revealed that each miller is bound to settle its account with each State Procurement Agency after the milling period is over so that such miller may be considered for the allotment of paddy for custom milling of the next year. Some rice mills over the years have not deposited their outstanding dues due to which these millers have been declared defaulter and legal/arbitration proceedings have been initiated against such millers. Such proceedings have been pending with various Courts/Legal forums since the last many years.
The new OTS has been introduced to minimize the litigation cases of all the agencies, settlement of the cases under the policy so that sick rice units are functional again and revival of industrial units to create more employment opportunities in the State. Likewise, it will also act as a catalyst for smoother and expedite lifting of the paddy from the mandis during the KMS's to benefit the farmers.
Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Rahul Tiwari & Director Varinder Kumar Sharma.