More cotton exports may be allowed today

Review of stock position leads to allowing exports

The Centre is expected to allow more cotton for exports after a meeting of senior ministers today, sources said.

Several MPs from Gujarat including Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and state Pradesh Congress chief Arjun Modhwadia recently met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and sought the removal of restrictions on cotton exports.

After Mukherjee and Sharma review the stock position with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, as per the estimates given by the Cotton Advisory Board, about 20 lakh bales extra may be allowed for export in the current marketing season (October-September), sources said.

Of about 115 lakh bales registered so far this season, the country has exported 106 lakh bales of cotton.

Cotton export has become a political issue as restriction on it is being opposed by several chief ministers and MPs from the Opposition as well as the Congress Party, who say that the move is anti-farmers.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has been protesting against the export curb.