CM Vijay Writes to PM Seeking Removal of 11% Cotton Import Duty Amid Industry Stress

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the removal of import duty on cotton , citing a sharp rise in raw material costs that is impacting the state’s textile and apparel industry.

In his first letter to the Prime Minister after assuming office, Vijay said Tamil Nadu is India’s largest textile and apparel exporting state, with lakhs of jobs especially for women in rural and semi-urban areas dependent on the sector .

He noted that the industry is under strain due to a surge in cotton and yarn prices, which he attributed to supply shortages and increased trading activity. According to him, cotton prices have risen from ₹54,700 to ₹67,700 per candy in the last two months, while yarn prices have increased from ₹301 to ₹330 per kg .

India is one of the world’s largest cotton producers, with annual output typically around 30–33 million bales (170 kg each) . Despite strong domestic production, the country has recently seen tighter supply conditions due to uneven yields and higher export demand. India also imports cotton to meet quality and quantity gaps, primarily from the United States, Brazil, Australia, and Egypt .

Vijay said continued supply of raw material can be ensured only through imports, but the existing 11% import duty on cotton is adding to costs. He urged the Centre to reduce the duty to zero, arguing that it would improve raw material availability, support export commitments, and strengthen global competitiveness.

“After agriculture, the textile and apparel sector is one of the largest employment-generating sectors,” he said, stressing that safeguarding jobs and the value chain is a government responsibility.

He requested immediate intervention to ensure duty-free cotton imports to stabilise prices and protect employment in the sector.