Priyank Kharge says BJP's Gujarat Model ‘fake’, calls Karnataka emerging model of development
Bengaluru: Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge has criticized the much-touted Gujarat model championed by BJP leaders, calling it a "fake model." In a post on the social media platform X on Friday, Kharge highlighted the rejection of Uttar Pradesh (UP) as a model state due to its focus on divisiveness, contrasting it with Karnataka's development-oriented approach.
Kharge emphasized that the "Karnataka Model" is now emerging as a genuine example of development. He pointed out that a delegation of transport officials from Uttar Pradesh recently visited the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) to study the efficient functioning of Karnataka's transport system and learn about the innovative practices adopted by the state's transport department.
"The term 'guarantee' that others have borrowed reflects how the Karnataka model has inspired not just various states across the country but also the central government and Prime Minister Modi himself," Kharge stated.
Kharge also highlighted Karnataka's leading positions in several sectors, asserting, "We are already No. 1 in the fields of IT, BT, public transport systems, financial systems, and tax collection. Our government is making sincere efforts to position Karnataka as a model state for the country in many areas.”
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TN seeks duty-free cotton imports to support textile sector: CM Vijay writes to PM
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove the import duty on cotton.
In his first letter to Modi after taking over as chief minister of the state, he said Tamil Nadu is the country’s largest textile and apparel exporting state.
Lakhs of people are dependent on this sector for both direct and indirect employment, especially women from rural and semi-urban backgrounds, Vijay pointed out.
Stating that the industry is facing a severe crisis due to an increase in cotton prices and consequently yarn prices, he said, “I understand this is caused primarily due to a shortage in cotton production and increased trading activity in the country.”
Pointing out that the price of cotton has increased from Rs 54,700 to Rs 67,700 per candy—an increase of 25 per cent over the last two months—while yarn prices have increased from Rs 301 to Rs 330 per kg, he said, “In this situation, the continued supply of raw material can be ensured only through imports.”
However, there is an import duty of 11 per cent on cotton, he said, adding that in such a situation, permitting duty-free cotton imports will help the industry meet increasing export commitments and remain globally competitive.
Vijay said that after agriculture, the textile and apparel sector is one of the largest employment-generating sectors.
“There is a significant responsibility on the government to safeguard the employment of lakhs of people and ensure the sustainability of the textile value chain," he said.
“Hence, I request your intervention to remove the import duty on cotton from the existing 11 per cent to 0 per cent to ensure the availability of raw material. This measure will enable the textile and apparel industry to remain globally competitive, enhance exports, and protect jobs,” he added.
