Question : COTTON COOPERATIVE MARKETING FEDERATION

(a) whether many centres of the cotton cooperative marketing federation in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra have been closed down;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefore;

(c) whether closing down of these centres has affected thousands of cotton growers as they are now unable to offload their produce under the State’s cotton purchase scheme;

(d) the manner in which Government propose to tackle the situation; and

(e) The steps taken by the Government to compensate the cotton growers?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)

(a) & (b): During 2006-07 cotton season, the Maharashtra State Cooperative Cotton Growers’ Marketing Federation had started procurement of cotton in the State of Maharashtra from 6.11.2006 through 254 procurement centers, out of which 125 procurement centers were in Vidharbha region. All the 125 procurement centers in Vidharbha region have been closed down from 5.4.2007, as there were no arrivals.

(c): No Sir, as other cotton purchasers have purchased the cotton at rates higher than the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Further, there had been no demand for continuance of centers either from cotton growers or Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs.)

(d) & (e): As per Maharashtra Government Resolution NO. Kapus/1006/PraKa/102/10-C dated 4.1.2007 for season 2006-07, the Government of Maharashtra, as a special case, has decided to give subsidy to the cotton growers Rs. 1500/- per hectare, maximum upto 2 hectare, minimum Rs. 500/- per hectare and maximum Rs. 3000/-. This amount is being distributed to the cotton growers through Agriculture Department of Maharashtra.