Date:12/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/12/stories/2007111250180300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Delay needless, say rice millers

Correspondent

Assert that the stocks supplied are non-levy rice

Obtaining documentary evidence from millers
is the duty of officials
Huge amount is being paid per day as
demurrage for a vessel

Kakinada: While rice exporters are in a quandary over the fresh queries raised by authorities on the source of supply of stocks piled up in godowns, rice millers see an unnecessary procedural wrangle that is dodging clearances for shipments.

‘Nothing shady’

They wonder as to why the Civil Supplies Commissioner wants the exporters to produce documentary evidence to show that the rice supplied by the millers is non-levy quota. They maintain that there is nothing shady in the rice deals and seen no need to create hurdles.

“We have got the notification from the Centre lifting curbs on non-basmati rice exports with utmost difficulty. Instead of paving the way to expedite clearances, the civil supplies authorities are knowingly or unknowingly creating obstacles. Insisting on documentary evidence on whether the rice supplied by the miller is from the non-levy quota is nothing but delaying the things further. We hope the Commissioner will appreciate the problem and help in early shipments,” said Dwarampudi Bhaskara Reddy, president of the Andhra Pradesh Rice Millers’ Association.

Matter of concern

He told The Hindu on Sunday that all the rice supplied to the exporters was totally non-levy and almost all millers fulfilled their levy obligation.

If any miller was in default, the authorities can take action against him at any time and there was no need to make it an issue at a critical juncture like this. The undue delay, under the pretext of State Government’s certification, was a matter of serious concern for exporters.

One of the leading exporters questioned the rationale behind insisting on documentary evidence. “In fact, the responsibility of obtaining documentary evidence from millers lies with the officials but not on the exporter who is the end receiver,” he remarked.

The exporters cited how a ship – M Vinashin Star – was made to wait at the anchorage port from October 15 for loading of 5,000 tonnes of rice for want of clearance and how $10,000 was being paid as demurrage per day.

The customs authorities refused to allow the shipment on cash against document (CAD).