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.

The state-level State Wide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology (SWAGAT) programme will be held on Friday in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

The monthly initiative, which provides an online platform for addressing citizens' complaints and grievances, has been a key governance mechanism since its inception in 2003, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Traditionally organised on the fourth Thursday of every month, this month's session will take place on Friday.

Citizens can submit their grievances and representations in person at the Chief Minister's Public Relations Unit at Swarnim Sankul-2 in Gandhinagar between 8.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. on the day of the programme.