DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday approved The Punjab Custom Milling Policy for Kharif 2024-25, for conversion of paddy procured by State Procurement Agencies (Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup and PSWC) into Custom Milled Rice and its delivery into the Central Pool.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Ministers in its meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister at his official residence.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that the Kharif Marketing Season 2024-25 will start from October 1, 2024 and the procurement of paddy will be completed up to November 30, 2024. During KMS 2024-25, the paddy so procured will be stored in eligible rice mills situated in the State.

The Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab issues Custom Milling Policy every year before the commencement of the Kharif Marketing Season to get the paddy milled which is procured by the State Agencies as per the specifications laid down by the Government of India.

As per the provisions of "The Punjab Custom Milling Policy for Kharif 2024-25", the Rice Mills will be linked online to the mandis in time by the Department. The paddy allocation to Rice Millers under RO scheme will be automatic through an online portal. The paddy will be stored at the eligible rice mills as per their entitlement and agreement executed between the State agencies and the rice millers.

The rice millers shall deliver the due rice of paddy stored up to March 31, 2025 as per policy and agreement. ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROCESSING FEE FOR INDUSTRIALISTS REDUCED BY INTRODUCING SEVEN SLABS FEE STRUCTURE

In a major initiative aimed at giving further fillip to the industrial development of the state, the Cabinet also gave nod to reduce the environmental clearance processing fee by introducing seven slabs based processing fee structure for granting environmental clearance in the state.

The processing fee for granting environmental clearance in the state of Punjab for industrial projects is Rs. 10,000 per crore of total project cost, which includes the cost of land, building, infrastructure and plant and machinery.
(editor@dailyworld.in)