Punjab Govt Forms Committee to Address Concerns Raised by Punjab Cotton Growers and Ginner’s Association

India is a major producer as well as exporter of cotton yarn. The Indian textile industry contributes about 5% of the country's GDP (GDP). Cotton textiles are the country's second largest employer after agriculture, supporting the livelihoods of an estimated 6.5 million cotton farmers and driving a large export market.

Harpal Singh Cheema, state finance minister, reiterated this during a meeting with representatives of the Punjab Cotton Factories and Ginner's Association, saying that the Punjab Government aims to take an all-encompassing approach to bolstering the industrial sector because it plays an important role in the State's economy.

The representatives requested that the fixed electricity charges be waived due to the cotton crop failure caused by late and unseasonal rains and the resulting economic loss suffered by the cotton factories.

Furthermore, their charter of demands included encouraging farmers to grow cotton, supplying good quality cotton seeds by the department, granting permission to install rice mills on the premises of cotton factories, and ensuring the supply of cotton from other States in light of Punjab's inadequate cotton crop.

Other demands made by the association during the meeting included a two-year waiver of market fees and RDF on cotton purchased from other states, budgetary provisions for installing underground pipes for water drainage in water-logged districts, and ensuring canal water availability during the sowing season in April.

Giving a sympathetic hearing to the demands, the Minister directed the officers to submit a detailed report in this regard, in addition to forming a committee comprised of one MLA from each of the affected districts, two members from industry, and officers from the relevant departments.