The Vigilance and Enforcement Department has concluded a three-day Statewide programme of surprise inspections at cotton procurement centres and ginning mills, aimed at ensuring transparency in procurement and safeguarding farmers’ welfare.
The inspections were carried out from December 16-18 in coordination with the Cotton Corporation of India, Legal Metrology Department and Agriculture Marketing Department. Officials said that the exercise was intended to ensure that farmers receive MSP and irregularities in cotton procurement process can be curbed.
More than 65 ginning mills and procurement centres were inspected across major cotton-growing districts, including Adilabad, Khammam, Nalgonda, Warangal, Vikarabad, Ranga Reddy, Sangareddy, Nagarkurnool and Narayanpet. During the inspections, teams verified weighbridge certifications, moisture meters, CCTV surveillance systems with data backup ranging from 15 to 120 days, fire safety licences and the implementation of the Kapas Kisan mobile application.
Several violations were detected, leading to cases being registered under the Legal Metrology Act. Action was initiated against cotton mills in Yadadri Bhongir district at Mothkur and in Nalgonda district at Chinthapally for using substandard or unsealed weighbridges. In Sangareddy district, cases were booked against mills for failing to maintain standard 20 kilogram test weights, while a fine of ₹85,000 was imposed on a mill in Rangareddy district for weighbridge variations.
Officials also observed a significant lack of scientific instruments at several mills for measuring staple length and micronaire values in real time. Cotton samples were drawn from heaps at mills in areas such as Warangal and the erstwhile Mahabubnagar region and sent to specialised laboratories for technical verification of ginning percentage and quality. While CCTV cameras were found to be installed at most locations, several mills lacked adequate data backup facilities.
Detailed inspection reports, along with recommendations for upgrading technical equipment at mills, are being submitted to the government for further action. The public has been urged to report any irregularities or misuse of government funds or resources to the V&E Department through the toll-free number 14432.
Published – December 19, 2025 07:45 pm IST
