Chandigarh, Sept. 24 -- Raising concern over the plight of cotton farmers in Punjab, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Wednesday urged the Centre to immediately direct the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to commence procurement of cotton at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 7,710 per quintal, as announced by the Union Government.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, the Minister highlighted that despite the arrival of "white gold" in state mandis, the absence of CCI has left farmers vulnerable, forcing them to sell their produce to private traders below the MSP. He said this has created deep disappointment among farmers who had relied on the Centre's promise of procurement.

Khudian point...