THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 10, 2026

In an effort to speed up paddy procurement and ensure smoother rice supply under government schemes, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Tuesday held a detailed meeting with representatives of the All Odisha Rice Millers Association at Lok Seva Bhawan.

The discussion focused on difficulties faced by rice millers at various stages, from procurement of paddy by the government to custom milling, supply of rice to the state and its subsequent lifting by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Senior officials present at the meeting included Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswata Mishra, Principal Secretary of the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department Sanjay Kumar Singh, and Managing Director of the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy. The millers’ association was represented by its president, secretary and other office bearers.

Millers drew attention to issues related to the Kharif Marketing Season 2024–25, particularly the timely custom milling of procured paddy and supply of rice. They pointed out that although the 2025–26 marketing season has already begun, around 10 per cent of contract-based milled rice from the previous season is still pending, even as supplies are continuing.

The association highlighted storage constraints arising from the need to store fresh paddy along with custom-milled rice for longer periods. This, they said, has led to space shortages and challenges in preserving stock. While acknowledging the additional storage facilities provided within mill premises with support from the State Food and Supplies Corporation, millers noted that holding stocks beyond the prescribed period results in higher rental and maintenance costs.

They also sought enhanced financial assistance to offset rising expenses related to paddy procurement and transportation of rice. Stressing the need for long-term solutions, the millers proposed the creation of large paddy and rice storage centres across the state under the Chief Minister’s Agriculture and Industry Scheme.

Chief Secretary Garg assured the association that all issues would be examined carefully, with necessary steps taken to address them. From their side, the millers reiterated their commitment to fully cooperate in ongoing paddy procurement and rice supply, while urging the state government to resolve long-standing operational challenges to make the system more efficient and seamless.