Rice millers demand release of securities

Punjab rice millers' association, led by its president Tarsem Saini, on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to food and supplies commissioner SS Johal to demand the release of their securities, including those held with other procurement agencies.

Punjab rice millers' association, led by its president Tarsem Saini, on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to food and supplies commissioner SS Johal to demand the release of their securities, including those held with other procurement agencies.

Association's senior office-bearer Nikesh Jindal said the state rice industry has been facing a severe crisis for the past ten years as increasing minimum wages rates of skilled and unskilled labour, transportation charges and power tariffs had increased the cost of production and reduced profits.

"However, no compensation was given to millers by either the state or the union governments," he alleged.