Concerned over the fate of the cotton farmers in Gujarat, S Niranjan Reddy, BRS Leader and Former Minister has urged Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) open the cotton purchase centers immediately. He also urged for an extension of the support price given to cotton in Gujarat to Telangana farmers as well.

Telangana farmers have been suffering due to heavy rains in the state, Reddy said. These farmers are struggling to stock their cotton as the State government has failed to set up CCI purchase centers, pushing the farmers into the hands of middlemen, he added. Farmers in the state are being forced to sell their cotton at Rs 5,500 per quintal. They are finding it difficult to get at least the support price of Rs 7,521, he stated further.

In contrast, Gujarat is purchasing cotton at Rs 8,257 per quintal while Telangana farmers get only Rs 7,521. The two central ministers from Telangananeed to ensure that the cotton prices in Gujarat are extended to Telangana also, Reddy affirmed.

The former minister criticised the State government for not taking responsibility for the agricultural sector, which supports 2.5 crore people in the state. The state has not yet implemented the Rythu Bandhu scheme, and farmers are not receiving the promised Rs 500 bonus per quintal for paddy. Additionally, restrictions are being imposed on the quality of paddy to deny farmers their bonus, he notes.