Modi Government’s Cotton Duty Decision Criticized by Kejriwal as Anti-Farmer

Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP National Convenor, strongly criticized the Modi government’s decision to remove the import duty on American cotton. He argued that this move, which makes American cotton more affordable than Indian cotton, will severely impact local farmers, potentially pushing them into debt and desperation. According to Kejriwal, the removal of the 11% import duty will result in Indian farmers being forced to sell their produce at significantly lower prices, perhaps even below ₹900 per 20 kgs. He urged the government to reinstate the duty, guarantee a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton, and provide subsidies to help farmers manage the rising costs of seeds and fertilizers. Kejriwal accused the government of being swayed by external influences, specifically the US, to the detriment of Indian farmers and industry.