Punjab Rice Millers Exporters ‘Association today firmed up a massive investment of Rs 350 crore for setting up ultra modern Rice Mills in the state to boost the export prospects of Basmati on one hand and give impetus to the much needed Agriculture persification program on the other.An assurance to this effect was given by the delegation of the association led by its President Mr Ashok Sethi to the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting here at Chief Minister’s residence this afternoon.
Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister for recently extending a slew of incentives to Rice Millers for the promotion of Basmati cultivation and boosting its export potential in the global market in terms 2% exemption on Rural Development Fund (RDF), 3% Punjab Infra structure Development Fund (PIDF) besides 2% market fee on Basmati worth Rs 200 crore. The delegation further assured the Chief Minister that they would continue their endeavor to help the state in pursuing its mission of crop persification. Reciprocating the goodwill gesture of the state government to ensure level playing field to the Basmati growers as well as millers and exporters, the delegation also promised to run two state-of-art ITIs at Ferozepur and Tarn Taran after upgrading them to train manpower required in the Rice mills. The delegation also assured Mr Badal that they would strive hard to emerge Punjab as a front runner state in the Basmati cultivation thereby capturing an enviable position in the international market.
Envisaging Association’s support to impart quality education to the students across the state, the Chief Minister offered the Rice Millers to run schools in collaboration with the state government adding he said, “We are ready to help you to take up this noble venture with an ultimate goal to contribute enormously in the human resource development”. Acceding to the proposal of the Chief Minister, the Association promised their fulsome support and co-operation to the state government in realizing the dreams of Mr Badal. The Chief Minister also called upon the Rice Millers to go for Power cogeneration from Biomass to make their units financially viable and self sustainable.
Appreciating the unique initiative taken by the Chief Minister to curb the menace of cancer from the state the Association reiterated their commitment to contribute 0.25% of their total annual sale towards the Dedicated Cancer Treatment Fund as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). On the appeal of Mr Badal the Association avowed to serve the country in general and Punjab in particular through the concept of inclusive development. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr Gaggandip Singh Brar.