Abdul Sattar added that the government was open to making changes in financial assistance to cotton farmers.
He also announced that during Diwali the purchase of cotton in the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) would be opened so that farmers can sell their produce and get the prevailing price.
Sattar said CCI purchased 1.2 lakh quintals during this season, while private buyers bought 3.16 lakh quintals.
The Center has increased the procurement price of cotton by Rs 500 per quintal to Rs 7,521 per quintal from Rs 7,121 per quintal for long staple cotton.
The Government and Opposition members maintained that cotton farmers in the state have to sell cotton at the price declared by the CCI, which sometimes remains lower than what they can get from traders.
They also said that there were no cotton buying centers when farmers needed them and that due to insufficient grading systems at cotton buying centers, trains were stopped for several days.
Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar and other members including Prakash Solunke, Harish Pimple, Narayan Kuche and others said farmers have to sell cotton in the open market due to the ICC's oppressive conditions during procurement.
Wadettiwar said the price of cotton fell especially after the Center imported 15 lakh bales.
“Merchants took advantage of the closure of CCI purchasing centers. A large amount of cotton remains in farmers' homes due to the low price offered by CCI. Cotton producers are the most affected due to the growing mismatch between the high cost of production and the low acquisition price. The subsidy of Rs 5,000 up to 2 hectares following the drop in purchase price should be increased to help farmers,” he added.
Yashomati Thakur raised the issue of cost of cotton per acre. Currently, the cost per acre is Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 against the income of Rs 3,900 per quintal. He demanded that the state government provide subsidy similar to that of the Telangana government.
He also announced that during Diwali the purchase of cotton in the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) would be opened so that farmers can sell their produce and get the prevailing price.
Sattar said CCI purchased 1.2 lakh quintals during this season, while private buyers bought 3.16 lakh quintals.
The Center has increased the procurement price of cotton by Rs 500 per quintal to Rs 7,521 per quintal from Rs 7,121 per quintal for long staple cotton.
The Government and Opposition members maintained that cotton farmers in the state have to sell cotton at the price declared by the CCI, which sometimes remains lower than what they can get from traders.
They also said that there were no cotton buying centers when farmers needed them and that due to insufficient grading systems at cotton buying centers, trains were stopped for several days.
Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar and other members including Prakash Solunke, Harish Pimple, Narayan Kuche and others said farmers have to sell cotton in the open market due to the ICC's oppressive conditions during procurement.
Wadettiwar said the price of cotton fell especially after the Center imported 15 lakh bales.
“Merchants took advantage of the closure of CCI purchasing centers. A large amount of cotton remains in farmers' homes due to the low price offered by CCI. Cotton producers are the most affected due to the growing mismatch between the high cost of production and the low acquisition price. The subsidy of Rs 5,000 up to 2 hectares following the drop in purchase price should be increased to help farmers,” he added.
Yashomati Thakur raised the issue of cost of cotton per acre. Currently, the cost per acre is Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 against the income of Rs 3,900 per quintal. He demanded that the state government provide subsidy similar to that of the Telangana government.
