India, June 3 -- The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) condemns the Union Government's decision to suspend the 11 per cent import duty on cotton from June 1 to October 30.

In a joint statement, AIKS President Ashok Dhawale and General Secretary Vijoo Krishnan said this move will put in peril lakhs of cotton farmers and workers who are already being heavily exploited by big business. The NDA Government has capitulated before the big business and sacrificed the interests of the farmers. It is bowing to global and imperial economic pressures, where trade liberalisation and free trade commitments are prioritised over the protection of Indian farmers and national agricultural imperatives. It is reported that India could import around 40 lakh bales...