Cotton procurement begins at Akola amidst police protection

Akola, Nov 6 (UNI) The Maharashtra state cotton growers co-op marketing federation (MSCGCPMF) begun the procurement of 'Kapas' (cotton) amidst heavy police protection here, today, at the 'krishi utpanna bazar samiti' (agricultural produce market commitee-APMC).

The government agency observed the Moharat at 0830 hrs and purchased 25 quintal and 30 kgs of 'kapas' as a token purchase at the hands of Chairman of Marketing Federation N P Hirani.

The cotton belonging to a woman farmer Sudha Haribhau Gondchavar, resident of nearby Kharap village, was weighed in balance and the price of cotton for Banny variety was given at Rs 2,020 per quintal.

The total 'kapas' weighed to 25 quintal and 30 kgs.

A cheque of Rs 51,106 was handed over to her by Mr Hirani.

Purchase have begun at 51 centres in the state.

The minister for cooperation Harshawardhan Patil was conspicuously absent at the inaugural ceremony of procurement of 'Kapas' following the proposed boycott and morcha at the time of purchase by the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh BBM (Ambedkar) workers, sources said.

Meanwhile, volunteers of Vidarbha Mukti Morcha and BBM led by farmer MLA Gajanan Dalu Guruji and Dilip Tayde, raised slogans demanding the price at Rs 2,400 per quintal.

Heavy police bandobast was maintained and Deputy Commissioner of Police Shantaram Waghmare himself supervised the security measures.

Other farmers did not bring cotton carts at the venue as they were expecting a price of Rs 2,700 per quintal as promised during the election manifesto of Congress.

UNI XR MJ VKG2038