RAYAGADA: Slow evacuation of custom milled rice from the mills in Rayagada district has hampered the delivery process posing problems for the millers.Nearly 2.7 lakh quintals of milled rice is now stocked at Odisha State Warehousing Corporation godown in Rayagada town. Of this, 70,000 lakh quintals wait to be lifted by the Gajapati district as per the direction of Civil Supplies Minister Surya Narayan Patra.
The Minister, during his visit in March, had directed the evacuation of rice to Gajapati district and accordingly, an official instruction was issued by the department concerned. But, delay in implementation of the order has left the millers of Rayagada at their wit’s end.
With August 31 deadline set up by Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd for delivery of custom milled rice (CMR) for Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2017-18 and with the date barely a month-and-a-half away, the millers are worried that if the rice is not lifted, the quality would deteriorate leading to losses.
During this KMS, the district has procured more paddy than the requirement under PDS and other schemes. To streamline timely realisation of custom milled rice from millers, the Government has been making plans from time to time. As per such a plan, 70,000 quintals of CMR is to be moved from Rayagada to Gajapati district to facilitate receipt of CMR within the deadline. But, things have failed to fall in place for the millers who fear that with the onset of monsoon, the rice in the godowns is likely to deteriorate and lead to reduction in purchase cost.
Meanwhile, Civil Supplies Officer Purosottam Lenka said lifting for Gajapati district started recently and all efforts are being made for timely realisation of CMR as per Government schedule.