A meeting of the Federation of All India Rice Millers’ Association (FAIRMA) was organised by the All Odisha Millers’ Association (AORMA) here on Thursday to discuss various issues concerning survival of the rice milling industry.
The marketable surplus paddy purchased by the State agencies is far below the standard norms set by the Government of India. The country never produces rice at the Government of India’s stipulation of 68 per cent par boiled and 67 per cent raw rice.
Therefore, it is needed to develop proper infrastructure for purchase of paddy at the Mandi level to ensure its storage worthiness to avoid quality problem. The Food Corporation of India may also be involved in purchase of paddy to bring quality awareness among the farmers.
As an incentive to this labour-oriented industry, the Government of India takes necessary steps for providing subsidised electricity and interest rate apart from exemption of Goods and Service Tax on rice, paddy and byproducts thereof.
“Rice mill industry is being neglected in our country. There is a big question mark on the survival of the industry, and there is an immediate need for redressal of its grievances before it is too late,” FAIRMA president Tarsem Saini said.
Among others, FAIRMA chairman GV Rao, AORMA president Shyamlal Agrawal, general secretary Dipak Kumar Dash and more than 400 millers from various States were present in the event.