Question : RESTRICTION ON COTTON EXPORT

(a) whether the Government propose to remove all restrictions on export of cotton by bringing it under OGL and set up a National Cotton Board to improve quality and provide farmers with much required level playing field;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith its reasons therefor;

(c) the recommendations of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in this regard;

(d) whether united forum of cotton growers, suppliers, consumers and cotton industry have urged and submitted proposals in this regard; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the extent to which the Government have accepted those suggestions?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI KASHIRAM RANA)


(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.349 FOR ANSWER ON 16.08.2001


(a) to (e) : The Government of India have taken several initiatives concerning cotton. The export of cotton has been made free and without restrictions from 2nd July, 2001. The Technology Mission on Cotton has been launched, which aims at improving the quality and productivity of cotton in order to provide quality raw material to the industry and remunerative returns to the cotton farmers.

The Working Group on Textiles, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), New Delhi, envisages the setting up of a National Cotton Board of India. However, there is no such proposal under consideration of the Government.

The existing Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) having representatives from all concerned advises the Government generally on matters pertaining to production, consumption in marketing of cotton and also provides a forum for liaison between the cotton textile mill industry, cotton growers, the cotton trade and the Government. The CAB performs similar functions that have been envisaged for the National Cotton Board of India by the FICCI.