Hyderabad: Telangana Revenue and Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Tuesday issued a stern warning to Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) officials and private mill owners. He said the government would not tolerate arbitrary cuts to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on claims of excess moisture or faulty grading.
Reddy inaugurated the first CCI cotton procurement centre for the 2025 kharif season at Sri Bhagyalakshmi Cotton Industries in Gol Thanda village, Tirumalayapalem mandal. He was joined by State Marketing Department Director G. Lakshmi Bai.
He stated that the state government had rolled out a strong action plan to support cotton farmers hit by severe crop losses due to heavy rains. He stressed that no farmer should suffer price cuts based on unclear moisture standards or grading irregularities.
MSP warning cotton farmers: State to ensure fair procurement
The minister criticised the Centre’s current MSP for cotton, calling it financially unviable. He said farmers were reeling under low returns despite heavy losses from seasonal rains. For that reason, he called for an immediate hike in the support price.
Reddy confirmed that the issue would be raised in the upcoming Parliament session. He added that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would coordinate with the state in pushing the demand. “We will continue our efforts until cotton farmers receive fair prices,” he said.
To ensure transparency at procurement centres, the state has set up local grievance committees. These panels include agricultural, revenue, and police officials. They have been tasked with resolving complaints, especially related to moisture levels, and taking immediate action against malpractice.
State deploys cotton moisture meters in the field
The minister said all agriculture officers had received moisture meters. They must now check cotton moisture levels directly in the fields before farmers arrive at the procurement centres.
He also directed officers to guide farmers on using the online booking system. This system allows them to reserve procurement slots from their homes. “Any officer who tries to harm cotton farmers will face strict action,” he warned.
Several officials and public representatives attended the event. Among them were Muddulapalli Market Committee Chairman Harinath Babu, Vice Chairman Narender Reddy, Khammam RDO Narasimha Rao, Paleru ATMA Chairman Mangilal Ashok, and DCCB Director B. Rajasekhar.
🔹పత్తి రైతులను ఆదుకునేందుకు పటిష్ట కార్యాచరణ
🔹పాలేరు నియోజకవర్గంలో సీసీఐ పత్తి కొనుగోలు కేంద్రం ఏర్పాటు
🔹తేమ పేరుతో రైతులను ఇబ్బందులు పెట్టాలని చూస్తే ఉపేక్షించేది లేదుపత్తి రైతులను ఆదుకునేందుకు రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం పటిష్ట కార్యాచరణ అమలు చేస్తుంది. ప్రస్తుత వానాకాలం సీజన్ 2025… pic.twitter.com/10zqSI350x
— Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy (@INC_Ponguleti) October 21, 2025