What are the new government rules for FRK rice in Punjab?

New rules require FRK rice to be produced and stacked before procurement, with quality checks by the food ministry.

Why are Punjab rice shellers protesting?

Millers are protesting new FRK rice regulations, sample testing requirements, and potential financial losses.

What caused quality issues with rice supplied to FCI?

Heavy rains and floods damaged the paddy crop, leading to defects like excessive chaff in the produced rice.

Home / Business and Economy / Punjab Millers Face Losses Over New FRK Rice Rules

Punjab Millers Face Losses Over New FRK Rice Rules

7 Dec

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Summary

New government rules mandate FRK rice sampling before procurement.
Punjab rice shellers face financial strain due to policy changes.
Damaged paddy crop quality issues arise from recent heavy rains.

Punjab Millers Face Losses Over New FRK Rice Rules

Punjab's rice millers are expressing strong opposition to the central government's latest instructions concerning the production and distribution of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) rice. New mandates require FRK manufacturing units to first produce and stockpile fortified rice, with procurement by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) only proceeding after government officials sample and approve the quality. This stringent process has intensified pressure on millers, who are already anticipating substantial losses this season due to the lack of clear timelines for sample clearance.

The situation is further complicated by recent quality issues. In Bhogpur, Jalandhar, a batch of upgraded rice supplied to the FCI was found to be defective, leading to the suspension of several FCI officials. The rejection was due to chaff content exceeding the FSSAI limit of 5%, a defect attributed to rain-affected paddy. Millers argue that while paddy quality was relaxed post-floods, the resulting rice quality issues are not being considered.