THE COLOURS OF COTTON
The recent textile policy draft prepared by the Union ministry of textiles is reported to have discouraged the cultivation of coloured cotton. This, despite the strong recommendation of the Sathyam committee set up by the ministry to suggest changes in the 1985 textile policy.
The committee had said that coloured cotton would reduce the use of toxic dyes that cause environmental damages and pose a health hazard. The textile ministry has rejected the proposal fearing that coloured cotton might impede the growth of the popular white cotton. The Sathyam committee wanted the government to notify and demarcate areas for growing ecofriendly cotton. The panel has even suggested setting up of an internationally accredited certifying agency for the purpose.
Coloured cotton has been grown in India for some time now. During the 1960s, Red Northerns and Coconadas-2