New Delhi/Chandigarh, Oct 11 (IANS): With cotton growers in Punjab on a warpath against the state government over recent losses suffered due to whitefly attack on their crop, the union textiles ministry has directed CCI to immediately begin purchase of cotton in the state at Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Union Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar gave directions to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) in this regard after Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal met him in New Delhi on Sunday.

Gangwar directed CCI chairman-cum-managing director B.K. Mishra to rush to Chandigarh on Monday and work out the modalities for the purchase of cotton in Punjab.

As for relaxation in cotton procurement norms in the wake of extensive damage to cotton crop due to the recent pest attack in Malwa region of Punjab, the union minister asked Badal to send a comprehensive proposal to his ministry.

Growers in Punjab are up in arms after nearly 60 percent cotton crop in the state was destroyed by whitefly pest this year.