"Start Timely Procurement of Cotton in the Interest of Farmers; High Court Warns Corporation"
2025-08-08 18:03:06
Start cotton procurement on time: High Court warns
To prevent the economic losses farmers face due to delays in cotton procurement, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has ordered the Cotton Corporation of India to provide a guarantee letter within two weeks.
The court issued clear instructions to open procurement centers on time—regardless of whether farmers bring cotton for sale or not—and emphasized that procurement should begin before Diwali, with pending payments made within seven days.
To safeguard the interests of cotton-growing farmers, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a stern warning to the Cotton Corporation of India to ensure timely opening of procurement centers.
The court noted that delays in procurement benefit private traders while causing losses to farmers.
Ordering that cotton procurement centers be opened on time, the court stated that protecting the interests of cotton farmers is the "primary duty" of the Cotton Corporation of India.
The court directed that centers must open on schedule, regardless of whether farmers bring cotton to sell.
The bench, comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Trishali Joshi, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Shriram Satpute, District Coordinator (Rural) of the Grahak Panchayat.
The petition demanded that cotton procurement start before Diwali and that the outstanding amounts be deposited in farmers’ bank accounts within seven days.
