Polls: Modi rakes up meat export subsidy, cotton export ban

On one hand the Centre banned cotton export, causing huge losses to farmers of Gujarat, and on the other hand it subsidised meat export, Modi said, speaking here.

He referred to two advertisements issued in several newspapers here by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Union Ministry of Textiles, clarifying Centre's stand on the meat export and cotton export respectively.

"The Prime Minister, instead of misleading the people of Gujarat, should give a direct answer to the question I am asking. Have you not announced Rs 15 crore subsidy for those who start a slaughter house?" Modi said.

"If you want to establish a diamond polishing unit or any other industry, you won't get rebate in income tax. But if you establish a slaughter house, you do not have to pay income tax for five years. I want to ask the Prime Minister if this is true or not."

"Are you not giving 50 per cent subsidy for transportation of beef and mutton from the ports? Have you not given crores of rupees in subsidy for meat export?

"On the other hand, during the peak cotton season you ban export of cotton and cause a loss of Rs 14,000 crore to the farmers of Gujarat," the Chief Minister said.

Ministry of Commerce said in the full-page advertisement today that beef export was always banned, while the export of buffalo meat was allowed since 1969. From 1998-99 to 2003-04, (during NDA rule) nearly 15 lakh MTs of meat was exported, it added.

The advertisement of the Union Textile Ministry claimed that Gujarat farmers had made a profit of Rs 7,000 crore thanks to the cotton export policy of the Centre.