Tamil Nadu CM Presses Modi for Cotton Duty Removal Amid Surge

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has urgently requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to waive the 11% import duty on cotton, citing a dire crisis gripping the state’s textile and apparel industry. The Thursday letter comes as raw material costs skyrocket, endangering a sector that powers the regional economy.

Detailing the turmoil, Vijay noted cotton prices have surged 25% to Rs 67,700 per candy from Rs 54,700 over two months, with yarn following suit to Rs 330 per kg from Rs 301. Blaming domestic production dips and nationwide trade spikes, he said supply chains are in chaos.

As India’s leading textile exporter, Tamil Nadu’s industry supports millions through direct and indirect employment. ‘This unprecedented hike is forcing manufacturers into a corner, threatening livelihoods on a massive scale,’ the CM asserted.

Imports are the only viable fix for raw material shortages, yet the duty inflates costs, making operations unsustainable. Vijay’s call for immediate action aims to restore balance and protect exports.

The development spotlights broader challenges in India’s cotton ecosystem, where policy lags behind market realities. Stakeholders hope for a quick Centre nod, preventing shutdowns ahead of peak demand periods. Tamil Nadu’s vocal advocacy could set precedents for other cotton-dependent states.