Cotton Crisis: Tamil Nadu CM Seeks PM's Help on Import Tax

In a stark warning to New Delhi, Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay penned a letter to PM Narendra Modi on Thursday, demanding the instant abolition of 11% cotton import duty. The move is aimed at rescuing the state's beleaguered textile sector from raw material price hikes that could spell disaster. Tamil Nadu, India's apparel export champion, faces a perfect storm: domestic cotton output has plummeted while nationwide business booms have strained supplies. This has sent cotton prices soaring 25% in two months—from Rs 54,700 to Rs 67,700 per candy—and yarn from Rs 301 to Rs 330 per kg. 'Manufacturers are under immense pressure, and millions of jobs are at risk,' Vijay stated. The industry, a lifeline for lakhs of families, relies on steady raw material flows, now only possible through imports rendered costly by the duty. The CM detailed how supply chain disruptions are amplifying the pain for garment producers, who form the backbone of the state's economy. With exports driving growth, any hiccup could ripple through to global markets. Vijay's plea underscores the urgency: without duty relief, factories may halt operations, triggering unemployment waves. Experts warn that the crisis stems from production shortfalls amid rising domestic demand. As Tamil Nadu pushes for policy tweaks, all eyes are on the Centre's response to avert a full-blown sectoral meltdown.