Finally, CCI starts cotton purchase

Since the cotton started arriving in Mandis from September 15, about 1.11 lakh bales had been purchased by private players till yesterday, said an official of the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board PSAMB.

Even as the CCI went into an overdrive to purchase cotton, farmers at some of the locations expressed apprehensions over uniformity in purchase pattern by the CCI. 8220;No doubt, farmers are feeling relieved today, but we don8217;t know whether the CCI would keep the momentum on in the coming days as well,8221; said Jagroop Singh of Narang village, who had come to Rama Mandi with his produce.

8220;We are not even sure if the tempo would be maintained during the later half the day today, what to talk of tomorrow,8221; said another cotton grower, Inderjit Singh. Sidhu, however, said the CCI was committed to continue the purchase.

Earlier, the CCI started purchase in Rama Mandi in the presence of PSAMB chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, who also inaugurated a shed on the occasion. Answering media queries, Lakhowal said the market waiver proposal was under government consideration. Different farmers8217; bodies of Muktsar district, under a common banner, submitted a memorandum to Lakhowal, listing their problems.