Over 1,400 rice mill owners in the State have decided not to cooperate with the government in pooling custom milling rice (levy rice) for 2014–15 until their dues are cleared for 2013–14.
They alleged that the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs was taking a unilateral decision with regard to levy rice without listening to the grievances of rice millers.
Executive president, Karnataka State Rice Millers’ Association, N.R. Vishwaradhya told presspersons here on Monday that rice millers had to get Rs. 44 crore from the government for rice supplied during 2013–14. Of the Rs. 62 crore due, only Rs. 18 crore had been released.
‘Far from the truth’“The government withheld the payment by accusing the millers of supplying poor quality rice, which is far from the truth. The government has distributed the rice,” he said.
Mr. Vishwaradhya alleged that the government policy on levy rice was aimed at helping rice millers outside the State.
