Cotton procurement suspended at Enumamula market as millers and traders launch strike

The Telangana Cotton Millers and Traders Welfare Association suspended procurement at Enumamula market and across the State, protesting unaddressed CCI norms. Over 300 ginning mills joined the strike, severely affecting farmers and cotton trade, as authorities are yet to intervene.

Warangal: The Telangana Cotton Millers and Traders Welfare Association on Monday suspended cotton procurement at the Enumamula market in support of its long-pending demands.

In a statement, Telangana Cotton Association State president Ravinder said the association had halted procurement across the State, as the Cotton Corporation of India had not addressed the L1, L2 and L3 issues raised by the industry.

With the suspension coming into effect, the Enumamula market remained inactive, and farmers who brought their stocks were agitated over the CCI norms.

Over 300 ginning mills across Telangana are participating in the strike, severely affecting procurement. The association had appealed to the State government to intervene and resolve the issues, particularly those arising from what it termed unviable regulations imposed by the CCI. However, with no action initiated, traders and millers launched an indefinite strike.

“The CCI is imposing norms on procurement and refusing to procure the cotton stocks from farmers, citing different reasons. Accordingly, not many mills are being operated in the State. The Central government is deceiving the farmers,” Ravinder said.