Gujarat's cotton ginners to continue strike

The cotton ginners of Gujarat will continue their six-day-old strike till the Centre takes a positive stand on their demand to lift the ban on cotton exports, their association said today. The ginners are demanding an urgent meeting of the Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) for taking a decision on lifting the ban, which they say was hurting their business.

A delegation from the state met central ministers and leaders in Delhi today to discuss the issue, said Bharatbhai Vala, the President of the Saurashtra Ginners Association. After meeting Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran and Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Vala said, "The response of these leaders was very positive and they have assured us that the issue will be discussed at the CAB meeting." However, the strike will continue till the Centre sets a date for convening the CAB meeting, he said. About 1,000 ginning units have been on indefinite strike since May 15 in support of their demands. They are protesting the Centre's cap on exports of cotton at only 55 lakh bales.