Telangana Rythu Sangham alleges faulty weighing machines at Warangal cotton market

The Telangana Rythu Sangham has alleged irregularities in electronic weighing machines at Warangal's Enumamula agricultural market and sought action against those responsible. Following a complaint, the District Marketing Officer contacted the Weights and Measures Department to inspect all scales.

Warangal: Cotton farmers at the Enumamula agricultural market are allegedly being cheated through faulty electronic weighing machines, prompting the Telangana Rythu Sangham to demand action against those responsible and the inspection of all weighing scales at the market.

The alleged irregularities came to light when the Warangal District Committee of the Telangana Rythu Sangham visited the market on Thursday.

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A farmer, Budiga Chandra Reddy, had brought 10 bags of cotton, weighing about 500 kg in total, to a commission shop. Members of the Rythu Sangham noticed discrepancies in the readings displayed by the electronic weighing machine.

When they questioned the operator, the technician responsible for maintaining the weighing machines was called in. The technician reportedly attributed the inaccurate readings to a short circuit in the device.
Telangana Rythu Sangham convenor Somidi Srinivas alleged that the faulty machine was resulting in farmers being cheated by recording incorrect weights.

The issue was immediately brought to the notice of District Marketing Officer (DMO) Nagaraju at the market office.

“We demanded legal action against those responsible for cheating farmers. We also sought verification of all electronic weighing scales in the market to ensure that they are functioning properly,” Srinivas said, adding farmers Rs.6.75 per bag towards weighing charges.

Responding to the complaint, DMO Nagaraju contacted the Weights and Measures Department and instructed officials to inspect all weighing scales operating in the market.

Rythu Sangham leaders said farmers were already burdened with various expenses while selling their produce at the Enumamula market. They said such alleged irregularities were further discouraging farmers from bringing their crops to the market.

The price offered to farmers was Rs.9,050 per quintal in the market.

According to the leaders, some farmers were instead choosing to sell their produce to private buyers in their villages, even at lower prices. They warned that the trend was resulting in revenue losses for the market and had already contributed to the closure of some markets.