Stories
Keralam Permits Supplyco to Contract Mills with Pending Paddy Stock
- •The Keralam government permitted Supplyco to sign agreements with rice mills having pending paddy milling from the previous season to ensure timely paddy procurement for the 2026 kharif season.
- •Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob stated that the move removes procurement uncertainty, though the milling period extension remains subject to central approval.
- •The state has requested an extension from the Centre to complete milling for the 2025-26 kharif season until October 31.
- •Supplyco officials will inspect mill stocks and require mill owners to submit affidavits accounting for previous liabilities and ensuring timely completion.
- •Mill accounts for previous seasons must be maintained separately without mixing pending paddy or rice against other accounts.
Key Questions Answered
The decision was made to ensure the timely commencement of paddy procurement for the 2026 kharif season and to remove existing uncertainty by facilitating agreements with eligible rice mills. Waiting for the completion of all pending milling from the previous season could have otherwise delayed current procurement.
The state has sought an extension of the deadline for completing the milling of paddy procured during the 2025-26 kharif season—which ended on July 31—to October 31. Meanwhile, the Centre has already allowed milling for the 2025-26 rabi season to be completed by January 31, 2027.
Supplyco officials must inspect and assess available stock at each mill. Mill owners must submit an affidavit confirming that pending stock and liabilities from previous seasons are accounted for, and that milling will finish within the stipulated period. Accounts must also be maintained separately without mixing previous and current balances.