Hyderabad, February 4: Tension escalated at Warangal’s Enumamula Agricultural Market as traders staged a protest against the Cotton Corporation of India’s (CCI) newly implemented procurement guidelines. The traders expressed dissatisfaction with the revised norms, which they claim prioritise merchants who bid lower for cotton, sidelining those offering higher prices.
The protest led to a temporary halt in cotton purchases, causing concern among farmers who had arrived with their produce. Enumamula Agricultural Market Secretary P. Nirmala addressed the agitated traders and farmers, explaining that the new guidelines are part of a national policy set by the CCI. She assured them that the state government had been informed and discussions were underway to resolve the issue.
Following assurances from the state government, the traders resumed purchasing cotton after a four-hour disruption. On that day, approximately 500 bags of cotton were brought to the market, with traders offering Rs 6,960 per quintal. Farmers were also provided with lunch during the protest to alleviate their inconvenience.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between traders and regulatory bodies over procurement policies, which have significant implications for the agricultural market dynamics in the region.
