High Court seeks response from CCI on lack of cotton centres in Vidarbha
By yash chouhan 2025-11-26 11:31:18
High Court Notice to CCI: Shortage of Cotton Procurement Centers in Vidarbha; High Court Tells Cotton Corporation
High Court Notice to CCI: Vidarbha, the country's largest cotton producer, faces a severe shortage of procurement centers. The High Court has reprimanded the Cotton Corporation for opening only 89 centers, while hundreds of farmers are awaiting them, and urged immediate action in the interests of farmers. (High Court Notice to CCI)
High Court Notice to CCI: Cotton farmers in Vidarbha have once again been discriminated against. Despite the need for at least 557 procurement centers in Vidarbha, which has 16,86,485 hectares of cotton cultivation, the Cotton Corporation has opened only 89 centers. (High Court Notice to CCI)
On Tuesday, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court reprimanded the Cotton Corporation for this serious negligence and ordered a detailed response within three weeks. (High Court Notice to CCI)
Public Interest Litigation and Court Hearing
A public interest litigation filed by Shriram Satpute, District Secretary of the Consumer Panchayat of Maharashtra, was heard before a bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Rajneesh Vyas.
On this occasion, an affidavit submitted by court friend Advocate Purushottam Patil sharply criticized the Cotton Corporation's reckless policies and described the true plight of farmers.
557 centers needed – only 89 centers operational: Court's question
According to the data provided in the petition,
Nagpur Division: 10.39 lakh hectares of cotton cultivation, but 213 centers are needed.
Amravati Division: 10.39 lakh hectares of cotton cultivation, but 344 centers are needed.
But the actual centers operational are only 35 and 54!
Expressing anger over this major misstep, the bench questioned on what basis the corporation told farmers that there were enough centers. A double blow to farmers; private traders benefited.
Like in previous years, the corporation began procurement this year in the second week of November.
As a result, millions of farmers were left with no choice but to sell cotton to private traders.
A rate 8,000-1,000 rupees lower than the minimum support price.
Massive financial loss.
Advocate Patil clearly stated that this situation is a direct result of the corporation's delayed policy.
Debate in court on procurement limit and moisture percentage
Currently, registration through the 'Cotton Kisan' app is required.
And the procurement limit is 5 quintals per acre.
However, the average production in Vidarbha is 6 to 10 quintals per acre.
Therefore, a demand was made in court to increase the limit to 10 quintals.
Additionally, it has been suggested that the moisture limit be increased from 12% to 15%.
1 - The Corporation should begin cotton procurement on or before September 31st every year.
2 - Registration and slot booking should not be mandatory. Farmers should be provided with both online and offline facilities.
3 - The Corporation should compensate farmers who have to sell cotton below the minimum support price.
4 - Cotton procurement centers should remain operational until the end of April every year.
