CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Joins Rice Millers’ Interactive Meet With Food & Civil Supplies Department

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday joined an interactive meeting of the rice millers of the state with the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs held at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre in Guwahati. It was organized primarily to address the subject of meeting the July 1, 2023 target of fortified rice kernels (FRK)-blended milled rice by rice millers, but the meeting also touched upon other issues that have the potential to benefit millers as well as paddy cultivators in the state.

As per directives from the Government of India, rice to be procured by government agencies starting July 1 has to be mandatorily blended with fortified rice kernels. The Government of Assam has extended subsidies of up to Rs 2 lakh per mill for the purchase of blender machines required for the purpose of blending general rice grains with FRK. Addressing the occasion, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Government of Assam has ensured that the commitments it has made to the rice millers with regards to subsidies are being met and that any grievances regarding the same will be addressed at the earliest. So far, subsidies amounting to a total of Rs 9 crore have already been released, he added.

The Chief Minister stated that around 300 millers have already installed blender machines, while the remaining are expected to do the same at the earliest. Addressing those millers who are yet to install blender machines at their mills, the Chief Minister reminded them of the coming July 1 deadline, after which non-FRK rice grains shall not be procured by any government rice grain procurement agencies. Departmental Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Chairman of Assam Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Rajen Gohain, and a host of other dignitaries were also present, stated a press release.

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