Faridkot
30 rice mills have reached with an agreement with the government by Saturday according to the sources familiar with this development.
The numSouces ber of agreements have been up in just two days in Kotkapura leading to the smooth procurement of paddy.
The Ahartias said that if 40 rice mills strike agreements with the government for shelling paddy,then it is okay.
"So far,30 millers have completed the formalities of shelling rice.The number is expected to come up.If the number reaches upto 40,it would be a big relief for the paddy procurement,"said Ashok Goel,President of Ahartia Association Kotkapura.
The Ahartias said that due to more area under Basmati,the procurement can go smoothly by this number.
Due to the weather conditions,the yield is also expected to decrease and even much less moisture than permissible limit can further bring down the yield.
"Procurement is improved now and we expect it to go up.We have also decided this year that Ahartias and rice millers who have their own rice mills would get equal share of lifting paddy,50 percent. It would not that Ahartias with rice mills get lion's share and Ahartias without rice mills are at receiving end.All would be treated equal. The paddy less ghat 17 percent moisture is being procured without any delay,"said Ashok Goel,President of Ahartia Association Kotkapura.
Sources said that some of the rice millers are not ready to enter into agreements becasue of huge loss they sufferd last year.