Pople’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) for Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Parmanand Persaud has expressed concern over late payments for paddy sold to millers on the Essequibo Coast.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Persaud said he is also dissatisfied with the way millers are treating planters who supplied them paddy from the last crop harvest.
Persaud noted that millers are required, by law, to pay farmers 50 per cent of what is due them within two weeks of purchase and the balance in 42 days.
However, he said the payments are being delayed without explanation.
Persaud said several farmers have complained, to him, about financial difficulties they are facing, in terms of undertaking land preparation for sowing the current Autumn crop, because millers are not paying them for what they bought several weeks ago.
He said farmers were told by millers to go and uplift their cheques on June 16 but the former are not sure if the vouchers will be post-dated and whether interest will be added as required by law.
Persaud is encouraging those owed money to make use of the laws that were passed in Parliament to facilitate them.