The flour millers have expressed their dissatisfaction over the government?s process of selling wheat to them by inviting bids through open tender.
They have said that this system involved bureaucratic delays and do not serve much practical purpose.
Alternatively, the flour millers have suggested that the wheat be sold to them directly by the government agencies at determined prices.
The president of Roller Flour Millers Federation of India, MK Dattaraj said, “The process of selling wheat by inviting bids has caused problems like delays and inadequate quantity to deserving parties. If the government wants to help us, it should sell wheat directly to us at prices, which are mutually agreed upon according to different regions of the country.”
The Union food and agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar had announced in August 2008 to release 6 million tonne from the government’s stock to calm down prices. In this context, Dattaraj said that the government godowns were overflowing with grain stocks on account of a good harvest in the previous year and procurement by government agencies (about 23 million tonne wheat was procured). At many places the grains are kept under uncovered conditions and are likely to be damaged if a heavy shower occurs. It would be better if the government disposed off some of the grains stored, he said.
There would be further problems for the government if it does not dispose off the grains, as for the year 2008-09 a bumper wheat crop is pegged at 78.04 million tonne and the government would go for a massive procurement drive after hiking the minimum support price, he said.
The millers have demanded that the government sell wheat to them under actual user conditions till March, 2009, just before the new harvest.
Dattaraj said the wheat sold to millers would not only help them to utilise their capacity to an extent, but also the processed wheat flour made thereafter available would help to keep the price inflationary trend under control.
The flour mills have a capacity of 25 million tonne in aggregate, while the flour consumption needs are pegged at 12 million tonne.
Excess woes
•The process of selling wheat by inviting bids has caused problems like delays and inadequate quantity to deserving parties
• The government godowns were overflowing with grain stocks on account of a good harvest in the previous year and procurement by government agencies
• There would be further problems for the government if it does not dispose off the grains, as for the year 2008-09 a bumper wheat crop is pegged at 78.04 million tonne
