Odisha Rice Millers Continue Agitation as Talks with Govt Fail

Bhubaneswar: A meeting between the Odisha government and the All Odisha Rice Millers’ Association (AORMA) failed to produce any outcome on Monday, following which the millers decided to continue their agitation and suspend rice mill operations across the state.

The association said the decision was taken as the government did not provide any written assurance on addressing their long-pending demands. The meeting, held with officials of the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department, ended inconclusively.

AORMA leaders asserted that the agitation would continue until the state government gives a clear written commitment to resolve the issues. They warned that all paddy procurement-related activities would remain suspended in every district of Odisha.

“We will not withdraw the agitation until our demands are met with a clear written assurance,” the association leaders said, adding that paddy procurement has been stopped statewide as part of the protest.

The millers’ key demands include payment of custody and maintenance charges for the Kharif Marketing Seasons 2023-24 and 2024-25, additional incentives for custom milling, revision of transportation charges beyond 40 km, and restoration of one per cent driage for raw milling. Despite multiple meetings with government officials and even discussions with the concerned minister, no formal government order has been issued so far.

According to AORMA, millers had earlier resumed operations based on verbal assurances given during meetings held in late November and early December. However, more than five weeks have passed without any official notification, prompting them to intensify the agitation.

Meanwhile, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department said it is aware of the millers’ demands and has sought more time to address the issues. The department maintained that efforts are being made to ensure that the paddy procurement process is not adversely affected and that steps are being taken to resolve the concerns at the earliest.

The continued agitation is likely to further disrupt the already delayed kharif paddy procurement process, particularly in several districts of western Odisha where farmers’ protests are ongoing. With no immediate resolution in sight, uncertainty looms over procurement operations in the coming days.