New Delhi, Aug 28
Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday accused the Centre of betraying farmers by removing the 11 per cent import duty on cotton, alleging that the move was taken under pressure from the US.
Kejriwal said the decision would render domestic farmers uncompetitive, as US cotton would now be available Rs 15-20 cheaper per kg than Indian cotton.
He claimed that India’s textile industry will procure cheaper imports before October, leaving Indian farmers without buyers when their produce reaches the market.
"Farmers have invested heavily in cotton by taking loans. This decision of the Modi government will render their hard work meaningless. Last year, cotton farmers already suffered losses due to low prices, and this year the situation will be even worse,” Kejriwal alleged.