HYDERABAD: Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday wanted Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to allow cotton exports to an extent of 25 lakh cotton bales from Andhra Pradesh keeping in view the interests of cotton farmers who are facing hardships due to the lack of remunerative prices.In a letter to the minister, Naidu said that despite heavy odds like untimely rains, the cotton farmers had produced a record 60 lakh bales this year. Though the season started with Rs 3,000 per quintal of cotton, the price had risen to Rs 6,000 per quintal due to encouraging international market, Naidu said.However, the central government restricted the exports of cotton to 55 lakh bales this year as against 83 lakh bales last year, he added. These restrictions on exports were due to pressure from textile mills and they affected the farmers on a large scale, Naidu said and urged the Centre to permit cotton exports.Earlier, Naidu met cotton farmers at the party office and discussed their problems with them.
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