Chhattisgarh Government on Saturday blacklisted 290 rice millers operating in different parts of the State after they rejected a Government proposal to discontinue their strike.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary In-charge NK Aswal and Secretary, Food department Richa Sharma here at Mantralaya.
Both the officers through a video conferencing interacted with district collectors wherein they reviewed the progress of ongoing paddy procurement and custom milling in each district. They also inquired about the action taken against rice millers 'on strike'.
Meanwhile, officials informed that paddy procurement is going on at 1,988 procurement centers across the state since November 15.
It may be mentioned here that the Rice Millers’ Association- the biggest rice millers’ business body in Chhattisgarh, is on strike since November 10. They are demanding higher rates for custom milling which State Government has turned down.
Finally taking a tough stand, the state government has initiated actions against the rice millers under under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 and Chhattisgarh Custom Milling Procurement order 2016.