CCI has failed to make any purchases in the last four days despite offering rates higher than those prevailing the markets. Sources said farmer don''t want to antagonize the arhtiyas as the latter could feel offended and decline monetary help in the form of loans. Farmers are selling their produce at Rs 200 per quintal lower than the MSP to arhtiyas.

Sources said farmers also don''t want to sell their produce to CCI as it would make payments direct into their bank accounts and the amount could be deducted by the banks against the loans taken by them, leaving them with very little money to meet their expenses.

Gehri Bhagi village panchayat member Gurlal Singh, who sold his crop from 10 acres at Rs 5,110 per quintal, said, "I had taken Rs 5 lakh from the arhitya before sowing the crop. I have no other option than selling it through the arhitya. Whenever we have any need, it is only the commission agent who comes to our rescue, though they charges higher interest. However, on selling the crop to CCI, the money will be deposited into our bank accounts. The banks will deduct the money to recover the payment due on our loans."

On Thursday, CCI purchased 20 quintals of raw cotton in Abohar area and the commission agents protested against it for making the direct purchases from the farmers. They also asked the farmers to get their produce, sold to the central agency, back.