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Cotton procurement price up

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI Oct. 29. The Congress,NCP-led Democratic Front Government in Maharashtra today increased the cotton procurement price, from Rs. 2,300 to Rs. 2,500 a quintal.

Earlier, the Government had formulated a complex scheme based on the Central Government's support price of Rs. 1,925 a quintal, promising that with other considerations and benefits the growers would earn Rs. 2,300 a quintal.

But this morning, delegations of the NCP and the Congress met the Chief Minister, Sushilkumar Shinde, to demand an increase.

The Chief Minister put their plea before the Cabinet meeting which approved the increase in rate.

Mr. Shinde denied that any Minister had threatened to quit over the issue.

He said the decision was taken despite the poor financial condition of the State, "with a view to preventing any losses to the farmers".

Asked about the fiscal reforms and discipline the Government had promised the Union Government and the World Bank, Mr. Shinde said the State would inform them about its inability to undertake such reforms now.

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