KSRMOA threatens to close mills on Nov 10

Bangalore, Nov 8 (UNI) Karnataka State Rice Mill Owners' Association (KSRMOA) today threatened to close down its mills on November 10 to protest the government's enforcement of rice levy order for procuring 33 per cent of the crop produced in the state for the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Speaking to newspersons here, Association President S S Bakkesh said the decision had been taken to protest the Government's order for collecting rice as part of national procurement for the Public Distribution System.

''The new target of 2.50 lakh tonnes fixed the government for the levy pool is very unscientific as the farmers are not growing rice of the quality that is needed for the Central pool,'' he said, adding the Association had demanded the government to bring down the target to one lakh tonnes.

Sources said the Centre had asked the state government to collect the levy rice with a new target and pass it on to the Central pool or it would be compelled to reduce the quota of rice under PDS.

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