(a) whether the Government has taken note of the sharp fall in prices of cotton from Rs. 5,800 per quintal to Rs. 4,500, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the reasons that Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has not yet started purchase centres in the country, particularly in Telangana; and
(c) the corrective steps taken by the Government?
MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a): Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Ltd., is procuring Fair Average Quality (FAQ) of cotton (kapas) from farmers at MSP prices which is a fixed price. There is no information about the prices of non FAQ cotton.
(b) & (c): CCI started MSP Operations from 1st October, 2019, wherever the prevailing kapas prices of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) grade were ruling below MSP level. With a view to safeguard the interest of cotton farmers, CCI has opened more than 600 procurement points including more than 400 procurement centers in all the cotton growing states including 109 centres in Telangana. In order to avoid any eventuality of distress sales by farmers, CCI make wide publicity through print media, banners and posters at all prominent places like market yards, villages and G&P factory to apprise the farmers of CCI presence and assurance that CCI will be present in the market till last arrivals of FAQ kapas conclude. As on 29.02.2020, CCI has procured 74.89 lakh bales under MSP Operations in all the cotton growing states including 37.95 lakh bales in Telangana.
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