Cotton export ban referred to GoM

The Indian Textiles Ministry on Tuesdayreferred the ban on cotton exports to a Group of Ministers, after AgricultureMinister Sharad Pawar took strong objection to the decision with Prime MinisterManmohan Singh complaining that he was "kept in dark" over the issue.

In a hurriedly called press conference, Textiles SecretaryKiran Dhingra said, the decision will be put before the GoM for review andconsultation. The GoM, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, will meeton March 9.

Besides, in April 2010, the GoM had given a direction tomaintain 50 lakh bales stock.

Earlier in the day, Pawar said, "They (Commerce andTextiles ministries) kept me in the dark. I came to know about this only aftera notification was issued by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Monday."

Pawar has raised the issue with the Prime Minister demandingthat the ban be revoked.

"While taking such a decision, it is always proper todiscuss it in Cabinet Committee on Prices or in Cabinet Committee on EconomicAffairs as is done with wheat, rice, sugar. So I have raised this issue withthe Prime Minister.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has also written to thePrime Minister seeking revocation of the export ban.