KARACHI, Feb 7: The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has started the procurement of higher grade clean cotton from registered ginning factories in Punjab and Sindh.

Under the government policy announced last year some of the districts in Punjab and Sindh were selected for producing contamination-free cotton. Similarly, some ginning factories were also registered with TCP for the supply of higher grade clean cotton.

Presently ginning factories of districts Ghotki, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur and Nasirabad are registered for the supply of clean cotton.

In order to encourage the production of clean and high grade cotton, premium price has been ensured by the government to the suppliers of such cotton.

Two ginning factories of district Ghotki and Rahim Yar Khan registered with TCP have made contracts with the corporation for supply of higher grade clean cotton at a price of Rs2,459 per 40 kg (Rs2,295 per maund). The quality specification fixed by the TCP is equal to PCSI grade-II, staple length minimum 1-1/32” and micronaire 3.8 to 4.9 NCL.

The corporation has allowed moisture content up to 8.5 per cent with TCP standard export packing in 100 per cent grey thick cotton cloth. The validity of price is up to Feb 10, 2003.

The TCP has also ensured additional premium which will be payable to ginners for different contamination levels at TCP warehouse. Level of contamination up to 1.5 grams per bale premium will be Rs160 per 40 kgs; up to 2.5 grams Rs80; and up to 3 grams Rs53.

The chairman, TCP, Syed Masood Alam Rizvi, told Dawn that the procurement of clean cotton by the corporation has nothing to do with normal procurement and there was no reason what so ever that this should affect the cotton prices. “The TCP has yet to make debut in current season and so far it has not lifted even a single bale,” he added.

As per the understanding reached with the registered ginneries, he said that the TCP would lift a minimum quantity of 100 bales from these ginners and thereafter will place more contract with them.