Warangal: Cotton traders demand pending dues

Warangal: Purchases came to a grinding halt at the Enumamula Market yard on Monday for some time as the cotton traders and millers called for a bandh, demanding the State Government to release their pending incentives.

Farmers, who were unaware of the bandh call given by the traders, came in large numbers along with huge stocks of cotton, were a disappointed lot. However, the traders resumed purchases after they got an assurance from the government.

During the suspension of purchases, the traders said that despite their repeated appeals the government failed to address their demand. "In fact, the protest was planned from November 1, but in view of festive season and not to trouble the farmers we have postponed our protest until today," a trader said.

He said that there are about 65 ginning factories in erstwhile Warangal district which are yet to receive electricity subsidy as promised by the government.

The government has to release incentives to the tune of Rs 450 crore. He opposed the penalties levied by the power distribution companies on them.

Telangana Cotton Millers and Traders Welfare Association President B Ravinder Reddy said that they have received a message from C Parthasarathi, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, which states that Agriculture Minister Niranjan Reddy would hold a meeting with the departments concerned within three to four days and if required, he would meet the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for the resolution of the issue. Following which, the traders resumed transactions much to the relief of farmers.