Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eliminate the 11% import duty on cotton immediately. He highlighted that the textile and apparel industry in the state is in a critical situation due to soaring raw material costs. Vijay emphasized that the industry, which is a significant employer, is under pressure because of the sharp rise in cotton and yarn prices.
Describing Tamil Nadu as the largest textile and apparel exporting state in India, Chief Minister Vijay stressed that the sector provides employment to numerous individuals, especially women from rural and semi-urban areas. He pointed out that the industry is facing a severe crisis as cotton prices have surged by nearly 25% in the last two months, reaching Rs 67,700 per candy from Rs 54,700. Yarn prices have also increased from Rs 301 to Rs 330 per kg during the same period.
Vijay attributed the price hikes to a shortage in domestic cotton production and increased trading activities across the country, disrupting the supply chain for textile manufacturers. He noted that due to the shortage, the industry now heavily relies on imports, but the 11% import duty on cotton is making these imports costly and impractical. The Chief Minister emphasized that removing the import duty would enable the industry to meet export demands, maintain competitiveness, and protect jobs.
Highlighting the textile sector’s role in job creation, Chief Minister Vijay underscored its importance as one of the largest employment providers after agriculture in the country. He urged the government to take action to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of workers and ensure the sustainability of the textile value chain. Vijay called for reducing the cotton import duty from 11% to zero, stating that this measure would stabilize raw material supply, preserve employment opportunities, boost exports, and enhance India’s textile industry’s global competitiveness.
