The turf war between agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and commerce minister Anand Sharma has intensified on the issue of banning cotton exports with the latter saying that it was a well considered decision as exports had breached the line of saleable surplus and there was a possibility of the country being reduced to a net importer of cotton. A panel of secretaries from commerce,agriculture and textiles ministries on the advice of the Cotton Advisory Board took a considered view that actual exports have breached the red line of exportable surplus. A view had to be taken and ministers will have to take a serious note when their secretaries extend such a view. I did apprise the finance minister and sent a detailed note, Sharma told The Indian Express. The commerce minister was reacting to Pawars statement that his ministry had been kept in the dark and said that the ban was aimed at preventing shortage of domestic supplies. Sharma said that he could not brief Pawar personally about the decision as the latter was on tour and that the secretaries of the three ministries had briefed the agriculture minister about the cotton stock position before the decision was taken. As commerce minister I would like more exports to happen,but overall economic concerns cannot be ignored. We will ensure that farmers interests are protected,but India as the second largest producer of cotton cannot afford to become a net importer. Under the given circumstances,it was the only option for us, Sharma reasoned. Sharma also added that an investigation has been ordered into overpurchase of cotton stocks and hoarding by exporters overseas. I have been told that a handful of exporters have over-purchased huge cotton stocks and have stocked them in their overseas godowns. I have ordered an investigation into the issue and those found guilty will be severely dealt with, the minister said. Sharma,however,ruled out imposition of any ban on exports of cotton yarn as the situation did not merit one.
