Chandigarh: Ahead of the paddy procurement season, a group of Punjab ministers on Tuesday discussed the draft custom milling policy for kharif 2026-27 with rice millers, who flagged a severe shortage of storage space and sought strict adherence to the 17% moisture limit for procurement.Ministers Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Lal Chand Kataruchak and Barinder Kumar Goyal heard feedback and objections from rice millers’ associations from across the state.Punjab Rice Industry Association president Bharat Bhushan Binta said about 15 lakh metric tonnes of rice from the 2025-26 paddy crop was still pending delivery to the central pool. He said inadequate storage and a shortage of fortified rice kernel were delaying milling and delivery.“When milling operations continue throughout the year and paddy remains in the open for long periods, problems of damage and discoloration arise, the percentage of broken rice increases, and millers have to bear substantial financial losses,” Binta said.Millers sought immediate storage space to clear the pending rice by Sept 30.The agriculture department has estimated paddy cultivation on about 36 lakh hectares this year, with production projected at 185 lakh metric tonnes, besides 26-28 lakh metric tonnes of Basmati. The Centre has set a procurement target of around 180 lakh metric tonnes.Ranjit Singh Jossan sought restrictions on issuing ROs in paddy-surplus districts such as Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and Ferozepur until locally allotted paddy is fully lifted. He also sought priority for these mills in additional paddy allocation.Inderjit Jolly sought strict enforcement of the 17% moisture limit and central-state joint flying squads to monitor quality and moisture levels.Millers also sought exemption from market fee and rural development fee on rice transported outside Punjab.
