CPI State secretary G. Eswaraiah has urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to intervene and withdraw proposals seeking removal of the 11% import duty on cotton and restrictions on cotton exports from India, alleging that such measures will severely harm cotton farmers.In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister on Wednesday, Mr. Eswaraiah referred to reports stating that Union Minister Piyush Goyal had discussed cotton price stabilisation measures with Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and others. According to the reports, proposals were made to remove the 11% import duty on cotton and regulate exports.The CPI leader alleged that the Centre’s decision in 2025 to remove the import duty had caused massive losses to cotton farmers across the country. He claimed farmers lost more than ₹36,000 crore due to falling cotton prices, with market rates dropping to around ₹6,000 per quintal despite the Minimum Support Price being fixed at ₹10,075.Mr. Eswaraiah said cotton traders, spinning mills and textile corporations were benefiting from cheaper foreign cotton, while domestic farmers suffered heavy financial losses. He also alleged that the Cotton Corporation of India incurred significant losses due to unsold stocks following the price crash.Describing the proposed measures as “anti-farmer and pro-corporate,” the CPI leader warned that further relaxation of import duties and export restrictions during the 2026 kharif season would deepen the agrarian crisis and increase distress among cotton growers. Published - May 20, 2026 08:04 pm IST