Question : MILLING OF RICE

(a) whether the rate fixed for milling of arva paddy has not been increased during last three years;

(b) if so, whether the rice millers are facing losses due to increase in input cost and stagnant milling rates during the said period;

(c) whether the Tariff Commission constituted by the Government has proposed to increase the milling rate from 15 rupees per quintal to 45 rupees per quintal; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto alongwith the time by which a decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b) and (c): A study for fixation of normative milling charges for raw and par-boiled rice in various States was referred to the Tariff Commission in April, 2009. Tariff Commission has now submitted its Report. However, the Commission has recommended that the existing milling charges may be maintained as it could not reach a final conclusion due to insufficient data/information supplied by rice mills .

(d): Government of India has decided that the present milling charges shall continue to apply pending a fresh study to be taken up by Tariff Commission.