“I was not included in the discussions concerning the allocation of the quotas, but received an explanation as to how these quotas were arrived at. The main criteria used to establish the quota allocation for each mill is explained in detail in the email below from the GRDB Chairman – Mr. Badri Persaud.” De Groot advised millers to make contact if they had any questions.
Millers had already expressed concern about how quotas would be distributed. During a meeting at the Agriculture Ministry over two weeks ago, it was stated that the method of quota distribution left room for “dishonest distributions,” since the Board was singlehandedly dealing with the process.
It was mentioned by one usually critical miller that the distribution of quotas “is a big secret, because –despite the GRDB claiming consultation- when President of the Rice Millers Association (Dr. Peter DeGroot) (had) asked if rice millers could be a part of the committee, he was categorically denied.”
De Groot, when asked yesterday, said that the RPA would be unable to say whether the quota distribution was done fairly since the organization is not in receipt of certain information to weigh against the criteria and those awarded. Among the criteria for quotas, was the average paddy amount purchased over the past four years and millers would have had to pay 95 percent of the debt owed to farmers.
De Groot said that the body is not in receipt of millers past quotas, so a disgruntled miller would have to come with his information to prove that he met the criteria and was not chosen.