An independent fact-finding committee has noted several irregularities and inadequate facilities at the Agriculture Market Committee at Warangal in Andhra Pradesh, leading to cotton farmers getting a price less than the MSP.
The fact-finding committee, headed by Justice G. Bikshapathi, former Judge, AP High Court, was instituted by local farmers’ bodies, following complaints from farmers in the district.
The committee observed that although the Cotton Corporation of India had issued notification for establishment of 11 cotton purchasing centres in the district to help farmers save on transportation, there was still a lone centre serving the farmers. "Stocks are thus exposed to rain and fire. Further, farmers are supposed to get Rs 25 by CCI per gunny bag, but for the last two years they are not paid anything for the bags," Bikshapathi said.
Farmers had supplied 80 lakhs empty bags to CCI for the last two years, for which they had not received any money.