The District Rice Millers’ Association on Saturday demanded intervention of the State Government into the alleged smuggling of a huge quantity of paddy to the neighbouring States.
In a Press meet at the office of the Balasore Chamber of Industries and Commerce (BCIC), the association members claimed that paddy from various pockets of the State was being lifted at a price lower than the MSP fixed by the Government. They also alleged that hundreds of paddy loaded trucks crossing the State were also evading taxes. A raid conducted by the Sales Tax Department on Friday night had led to seizure of 11 trucks. The total amount of tax evaded by these trucks was worth around Rs 5 lakh.
Association president Himansu Das said while the farmers were getting less from the paddy lifters, the State Government was also losing its revenue as the trucks continued to evade taxes. With inadequate quantity of paddy, the mills have been idle, whereas the livelihood of the workers depending on the mills is at a stake, Das rued.