Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announces 24-hour special extension for rice millers seeking final registration of capacity enhancement during kms 2023-24

Chandigarh, August 25, 2023: 

          In view of requests of various Rice Millers’ Associations, the Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday, in larger public interest, announced online extension window of 24-hours for those millers seeking final registration of their enhanced tonnage capacity with the state Department of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs for the Kharif Marketing Season 2023-24.

          The Chief Minister also gave nod to extend the last date of inspection of mills by field staff from 28th August, 2023 to 1st September, 2023.

          The decisions are aimed at providing a chance to millers lagging behind especially in wake of ongoing flood situation in the state to complete their newly established rice units. The interested rice millers can log on to the Department’s Anaaj Kharid portal with effect from 9 pm on 25-8-2023 till midnight of 26-08-2023. 

          Disclosing this here, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the last date of applying for registration for enhanced milling capacity was till 21-8-2023; which now would be open for one day to facilitate the millers seeking final registration of increased capacity. It was also clarified that there would be no further increase in the other dates including deadlines for Stage 2 Allotment and signing of Agreements and deposit of Bank Guarantee thereby ensuring that the overall objective of online registration, online checking and verification as well as online linkage of Mills with procurement centre is achieved in a seamless manner. 

          Pertinently, Rice Millers are allowed to seek enhancement in their milling capacity if they fulfil the requisite norms stipulated in the Custom Milling Policy of the Department. 

          The ensuing paddy procurement season 2023-24 would commence from October 1, 2023 during which the State Procurement Agencies and FCI are likely to procure around 182 Lac Metric Tonnes (LMT) of paddy.  Paddy procured from farmers would be allotted for Custom Milling to eligible rice millers as per provisions of the Custom Milling Policy for Kharif Marketing Season 2023-24.