Question : COTTON GROWERS



(a) whether cotton growers in the Southern District of Tamil Nadu are agitated over the fall in the prices of summer cotton;

(b) if so, whether widespread complaints from the cotton farmers on the sharp drop in the prices offered at the trader-driven local market has also triggered speculation that the Cotton Corporation of India may go for market intervention by opening its purchase centers in at least two or three places, cotton trade places;

(c) whether the situation arisen in other States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra also;

(d) if so, the cotton prices have fallen below the Minimum Support Price in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharshtra; and

(e) the steps have been taken by these States and Central Government?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)

(a) to (e): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.