Congress demands ban on cotton imports ahead of Maharashtra elections

Mumbai: Ahead of upcoming Vidhan Sabha polls, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Sunday urged the Centre to immediately ban cotton imports claiming it was affecting farmers and demanded the produce be purchased at the minimum support price (MSP).

In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Patole said that despite Maharashtra producing an ample cotton yield, reports of import of 22 lakh bales of cotton have raised concerns about a potential sharp decline in the domestic cotton prices.

With the low market price, farmers have refrained from selling their cotton. The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) also has 11 lakh million unsold bales in stock, the Congress leader added.

Maharashtra ranks second in the country for cotton production, with over 40 lakh farmers engaged in cotton farming. Cotton is a major crop in Vidarbha, where Congress is hoping to make major gains in the assembly elections following the impressive performance in Lok Sabha polls, where it won six out of 10 seats in the region.

In his letter, Patole stated that the current cotton price is between Rs 6,500 and Rs 6,600 per quintal, which is below the MSP of Rs 7,122. “With the low market price, farmers have refrained from selling their cotton. Cotton stocks are held by farmers as well as by the CCI. Importing cotton when the country already has such a large stock would collapse the cotton market, significantly impacting farmers while benefiting only traders,” he said.

Patole stated that the cotton farmers in Maharashtra are already facing difficulties due to low prices, a 12-18 per cent GST on agricultural equipment, and unseasonal rains.

“Adverse weather has damaged cotton across 19 lakh hectares this year, and the compensation announced by the central government remains only on paper,” he claimed.