Overview K.T. Rama Rao , the Working President of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) , has voiced strong criticism against both the Central and State governments regarding the ongoing issues with cotton procurement. He alleges that the negligence of both governments and restrictive new guidelines by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) are compounding the problems faced by cotton farmers in Telangana . Key Developments Farmers' Distress According to Mr. Rama Rao , lakhs of cotton farmers are struggling to sell their produce at the government-mandated support price, despite their hard work throughout the year. He accuses both the BJP -led Union government and the Congress -led government in Telangana of jointly failing the farming community. Cotton Cultivation and Government Response Despite nearly 50 lakh acres being under cotton cultivation this year, Mr. Rama Rao claims that neither government has demonstrated sufficient urgency or sensitivity towards the emerging crisis. This lack of responsiveness is exacerbating the farmers' problems. CCI Procurement Issues Moisture Content: The CCI is reportedly refusing to procure cotton with moisture content exceeding 12% . Kapas Kisan App: Registration issues with the Kapas Kisan mobile app are creating further hurdles for farmers. Corruption Allegations: There are allegations of corruption within ginning mills and in the grading process. These issues are preventing farmers from receiving the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹8,110 per quintal . Instead, traders in the open market are offering only ₹6,000 to ₹7,000 per quintal , resulting in a loss of approximately ₹2,000 per quintal for the farmers. Procurement Statistics As of the report, the CCI has purchased only 1.12 lakh tonnes of cotton. This is significantly lower than the season’s projected production of 28.29 lakh tonnes , indicating a deepening procurement crisis. Demands for Action Mr. Rama Rao has demanded that the Telangana government immediately send a delegation to Delhi to exert pressure on the Central government to provide relief for the affected farmers. He also called for the launch of an action plan to address the crisis effectively. UPSC Relevance This news highlights critical issues related to GS3: Economy , specifically concerning agricultural policies, Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanisms, and the role of government agencies like the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) . It also touches upon GS2: Government Policies and the effectiveness of these policies in addressing farmers' distress. Important Facts Date: The report was published on November 16, 2025 . Key Figure: K.T. Rama Rao , Working President of BRS , is the primary voice in this report. MSP: The Minimum Support Price for cotton is ₹8,110 per quintal . Cultivation Area: Approximately 50 lakh acres are under cotton cultivation. CCI Purchase: The CCI has purchased only 1.12 lakh tonnes of cotton. Projected Production: The season’s projected cotton production is 28.29 lakh tonnes .