RAIPUR,CG,BHARAT: On Wednesday’s cabinet meeting of the Chhattisgarh government, it was decided to release the first installment of the pending incentive amount for rice mills for the Kharif marketing year 2023-24. However, no resolution was announced for other pressing issues, prompting rice millers across the state to continue their strike.

The State President of the Rice Millers Association, Yogesh Aggarwal, expressed disappointment, stating that the government failed to address payments for 2022-23 and finalize the transportation expenses from SLC (Storage Location Charges). “This is a significant promise that remains unfulfilled,” Aggarwal remarked, highlighting the discontent and anger among millers who had pinned their hopes on the cabinet meeting.

Aggarwal also indicated that the association would reconsider its participation in custom milling operations. A meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow to discuss the issue further. He criticized the cabinet’s decisions, noting they had financially burdened millers who are already struggling with operational costs.

Millers are demanding priority payments for the 2022-23 marketing year before addressing the 2023-24 cycle. They argue that most millers have not yet completed their work for 2023-24, and even those who have are facing delays due to penalties imposed on their bills.

The delay in payments has left millers unable to manage expenses, secure bank guarantees, or proceed with custom milling operations.

Millers claim that earlier agreements to reduce custom milling incentives were tied to assurances of clearing pending payments, but these commitments have not been honoured.

Aggarwal warned that the strike could escalate further, affecting custom milling work. The association plans to appeal to national leaders, including the President, Prime Minister, Union Food Minister, Cooperative Minister Amit Shah, and the Governor of Chhattisgarh, seeking immediate intervention to resolve the crisis impacting farmers and millers in the state.