Cotton mills protest CCI’s new purchase policy

Cotton farmers in Telangana are facing a fresh crisis after the Telangana Cotton and Ginning Mills Association decided to halt cotton purchases. The association's decision is a protest against new norms imposed by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and the state government.

The CCI's new policy, has significantly impacted both mills and farmers. Previously, cotton was procured from 318 ginning mills across the state. However, under the new policy, mills are now assigned serial numbers and grouped into clusters.

Purchases can only commence in the next mill after the capacity of the previous one is exhausted. This has led to delays and inconveniences for farmers, particularly those in districts like Nalgonda, where only 7 out of 23 ginning mills are currently operational.

Ginning mill owners allege that the CCI's new norms are a deliberate attempt to evade its cotton purchasing responsibilities. The association's letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the CCI CMD demands the immediate withdrawal of the new policy. Farmers and mill owners alike are urging the authorities to address the issue promptly to prevent further distress to the agricultural community.