Cotton farmers of Punjab can hope for some assistance after extensive damage to the cash crop due to the recent pest attack as Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister called on Union Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar and requested him to direct Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to immediately start procurement of the cash crop. He also sought relaxation in norms for cotton procurement in the wake of extensive damage to the cash crop due to the recent pest attack in the Malwa region of Punjab. Gangwar assured Badal that CCI would soon start procurement of cotton at minimum support price (MSP) in markets across the state. Textile minister directed CCI CMD B K Mishra to visit Chandigarh to hold discussions with the state Additional Chief Secretary (Development) and the MD of Markfed to work out the modalities for immediate purchase of cotton, according to a press statement issued by Punjab Government. For relaxation in norms for procurement, he sought a comprehensive proposal from the state. On Punjab’s demand for opening of skill development centre in the textile sector in the state, Gangwar asked the chief minister to forward a detailed proposal in this regard.
