Export under OGL: Sima seeks level playing field

In the wake of cotton export being allowed under the Open General License (OGL) for the current season, the Southern India Mills’ Association (Sima) has appealed to the prime minister to ensure a level playing field for the Indian cotton textile mills.

The textile mills body has urged the PM to take stock of cotton requirement by domestic mills "before taking a decision on allowing cotton export under OGL in the long run”. In an official statement by Sima, J Thulasidharan, chairman of the textile mills body stated that the surplus cotton projected by the Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) could be allowed under OGL with effect from January 1, 2012 to avoid artificial scarcity during the beginning of the season.

“The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and Nafed should give preference only to the actual consumers and not the traders to avoid speculation of cotton prices,” said Thulasidharan.