Following an assurance from Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to resolve all their issues, the Haryana Rice Millers Association on Thursday declared to end their strike and resume lifting paddy in mandis across the state.

In a meeting with representatives of the association held in Chandigarh, Saini addressed several demands, noting that maximum demands are related to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Central Government. He assured the representatives that these issues would be taken up with the Central Government to prevent any inconvenience to farmers and traders. In response, the Association thanked the Chief Minister and assured that they would restart the lifting process immediately.

 With regard to the request to enhance milling charges, the Chief Minister stated that as milling charges are set by the Government of India, the State Government would request the Central Government regarding the enhancement. In case, milling charges are not enhanced by the Central Government, the State Government may consider granting additional bonus to the millers, he added. He also stated that the request to restore driage charges from 0.5 percent to 1 percent would also be taken up.

 Regarding the out-turn ratio for hybrid paddy, the Chief Minister assured the Association that the matter will be taken up with the Central Government with the recommendation to consider the demand of millers to decrease the out turn ratio. A study has been entrusted to IIT Kharagpur with the representatives of FCI. The study team is likely to visit the rice mills of Haryana in the month of October/November 2024. The Chief Minister assured that adequate arrangements are being made for the storage of 16 lakh metric tons of paddy across various FCI godowns in the state. Currently, 8 lakh metric tons of storage capacity is available, with an additional 8 lakh metric tons expected to be ready by December 2024.