The government has announced Rs.4,320 minimum support price (MSP) per quintal of cotton, but the farmers are failing to get MSP as the purchaser is offering low price. At the review meeting held by Civil Supplies Minister P Pulla Rao with the officials, directed them to take necessary steps to ensure MSP to farmers in Guntur district.

The Minister also instructed the officials to open purchase centres to procure cotton from farmers at MSP. He said that the agriculture department officials are expecting 4.66 lakh tonnes of cotton, out of 1.82 lakh hectares of farm lands in the district.

The Minister said that the officials would collect photostat copies of pattadar passbook and aadhaar during the purchase. The officials will deposit the amount in the bank accounts of farmers.

Marketing Department Commissioner S Anand Kumar said that the department would open 43 purchase centres across the State. The department will install CC cameras at the purchase centres to curb the menace of middlemen and take all steps for the welfare of farmers.

The government has taken all steps to purchase cotton directly from farmers. Cotton Corporation of India officials would start 11 purchase centres in the district to purchase cotton produce from the farmers at MSP.