Upset over CCI norms, cotton farmers start indefinite protest

FARMERS ALLEGED THAT THE EQUIPMENT USED BY CCI SHOWS MOISTURE CONTENT ON THE HIGHER SIDE

BATHINDA: : Farmers under the banner of BKU (Ekta–sidhupur) on Monday started an indefinite protest outside the office of cotton corporation of India (CCI) demanding that the central agency purchase the crop by relaxing conditions of moisture content, as well as deploy officials in all grain markets.

Farmers alleged that the equipment used by CCI to depicts moisture content on the higher side. They want the central agency to relax norms to buy the crop from farmers.

CCI accepts cotton up to 8 per cent moisture content at MSP, with prices reduced by one percent for every 1 percent rise in moisture content. The agency’s cap on maximum moisture content is at 12 per cent.

District president of union Baldev Singh Sandoha alleged that not only are farmers facing issues of moisture content, but also that CCI officials are not visiting all grains markets to purchase the crop. This leaves farmers at the mercy of private buyers who buy the cotton at less than minimum support price (MSP) of Rs5,450 per quintal. Farmers allege that private purchasers have been looting them by buying cotton at less than Rs 5,000 per quintal.

TALKS BETWEEN UNION LEADERS, CCI OFFICIALS FAIL

Talks between union leaders and CCI officials on Monday evening failed to yield results, prompting farmers to continue the protest till their demands are met.

Meanwhile, a CCI official, on condition of anonymity, said they had asked farmers to give their demands in writing but union leaders did not comply indicating that there is some ambiguity in their demands.