Restrict Export Of Cotton
Indian National Textile Workers Federation has urged the Central Government to restrict export of cotton to enable textile mills in the country to get cotton at reasonable prices.In a statement here, president of the federation P.L.Subbaiah welcomed the plea of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.Karunanidhi, to the Prime Minister in this regard. “The workers of the textile mills in India are grateful to the Chief Minister”, he said.In the context of soaring prices of cotton, not only the textile industry but also others like handlooms, powerlooms and hosiery had been put to hardship.Lakhs of workers dependent on handloom and powerloom sectors had been rendered jobless. It is difficult to get cotton which was sold a few months ago at Rs 19,000 per bale even for Rs 26,000, he lamented. “It is not in the interest of the industry for the prices to soar like this”.He admitted that the cotton growers should get a reasonable price for their produce. However, it was not in the interest of the country to export the available cotton and deprive the local industries.
Mr.Subbaiah said that it was a matter of regret that Mahrashtra Cotton Federation and Cotton Corporation of India, both under the Central Government, were playing havoc by operating only for huge profits. “These institutions should ensure supply of cotton to mills at reasonable prices”.He pointed out that due to high price of cotton, several mills in Tamil Nadu had closed down throwing thousands of workers out of employment. Several mills had curtailed the production thereby affecting employment opportunity. “If the situation in the State continues, the textiles industry in Tamil Nadu would lose its place of pride in the industrial map of India”.
