Dispute between mill owners, state settled

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 18 (UNI) The dispute by mill owners in the state on paddy procurement was settled and they would resume procurement from tomorrow.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with the Kerala Rice Mill Owners' Association, state Food and Civil Supplies Minister C Divakaran said the dispute has been settled temporarily and they have been allowed to procure paddy at Rs 11 per kg.

The government was expecting a permanent solution to the demands of mill owners, including an increase of their commission, and it would be found in two weeks, he said.

In wake of the Union governments decision to revise the rate for paddy procurement by Rs 50 per quintal, it was expected that the commission would also be increased.

The mill owners association in principle agreed the request of the government to wait till the decision from the Union government in this regard.

The Kerala Rice Mill Owners' Association had decided not to procure paddy from the farmers, because the government has failed to raise the handling and processing charges.

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