Telangana Cabinet sub-committee holds talks with millers

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy indicated that bank guarantees would become mandatory for allotment of paddy to the millers for custom milling

Hyderabad: Highlighting the varying policies on bank guarantees across States, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday indicated that bank guarantees would become mandatory for allotment of paddy to the millers for custom milling.

The cabinet sub-committee constituted by the government earlier in the day to study the various aspects of paddy procurement and bank guarantees, had a meeting with representatives of millers organisations. Assuring the millers of a fair deal, the Civil Supplies Minister said each state had different policies regarding bank guarantees. In some places, there was a 100 per cent bank guarantee, while in others, it was 50 percent.

The meeting also addressed the substantial financial commitment for the upcoming Kharif season, with the government allocating Rs 20,000 crore for Kharif paddy procurement . Additionally, discussions are underway with different countries and other states to facilitate the export of Kharif paddy.