Cotton growers protest price fall

The cotton growers and merchants, who met here to discuss the fall in the prices of cotton, have decided to stay away from cotton trading until the Centre amends the export policy and allows free exports.

Farmers and traders expressed their concern over the falling cotton prices here, saying the trend has left them in deep trouble. They have also decided to protest rallies across the states on Friday, from the respective APMCs before submitting memoranda to tahsildars.

The meeting also condemned the state government for increasing tax from 4 per cent to 5 per cent. A protest rally in this regard will be held in Dharwad on May 16.