High Court seeks CCI clarification on Maharashtra cotton centres

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has questioned the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) over its failure to open several promised cotton purchase centres in Maharashtra, despite earlier assurances of operational readiness.

A PIL filed by Shriram Satpute, a district organiser of Grahak Panchayat, highlights the hardships faced by cotton farmers due to a lack of accessible procurement facilities. During the hearing, the division bench of Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Vrushali Joshi criticised the CCI's justification that centres were unnecessary in areas with limited cotton production.

In October, the CCI informed the court that 121 purchase centres, including 61 in Vidarbha, were operational. However, Satpute’s findings pointed to discrepancies, prompting the court to seek detailed district-wise data. CCI reported that 128 centres, including 68 in Vidarbha, were now functional but maintained that certain regions did not require centres due to low production.

The court questioned the adequacy of CCI's assessments, urging a systematic approach to support farmers and ensure fair access to procurement services.