Cotton export curb to go from October

The Union government on Friday said it intended to lift the ban on export of cotton, imposed last month in the wake of a steel rise in prices, from October 1.

Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar told reporters the curbs were imposed to ensure the textile sector was not affected. He said these were to be only till September and would be lifted once arrivals in the new cotton season start.

"On October 1, we shall revert to status quo ante. We will go back to a policy of unrestricted imports," Khullar said.

Cotton exporters have to register with the commissioner of textiles, Mumbai. The government didn't impose a blanket ban, but simply stopped registering for exports.