Cotton farmers demand expediting opening procurement centres

YAVATMAL: Cotton-growing farmers are eagerly awaiting opening of procurement centres in the district even as the Cotton Marketing Federation blamed it on government for the delay.

"No message has so far been received from the Cotton Marketing Federation and therefore no centre was opened in the district," District Deputy Registrar Lakshmansingh Katare said.

He said two centres--one at Ralegaon and the other at Wani---became operational from Oct 20 and over 400 quintals of cotton have been purchased at the rate ranging between Rs 4000 and 4100 per quintal.

"We have been waiting for the green signal from the NAFED, CCI and the State Marketing Federation to start purchase from today but no message has been received which ultimately delays the opening of centres," Katare said.

When asked about the delay in opening the centres, Maharashtra Cotton Growers Marketing Federation chairman Dr N P Hirani said the body could open 110 centres across the state this year if government fulfilled their demands.

"We have made four demands including issuing instruction to NAFED to sign agreement with the Federation; releasing Rs 50 crore sanctioned by government, clearing dues to the tune of Rs 164 crore pending with NAFED and ensure Bank guarantee to the extent of Rs 2000 crore," he said.

Hirani said against the organisation's demand of Rs 300-400 crore margin money, the government has sanctioned mere Rs 50 crore.