Irani plans revival of jute industries in state

While holding meeting with various stake holders of the jute industries at a city hotel, Irani wanted to know the reason behind the fall in the production and consumption of jute products in the state.

She also inquired about the concerns of the people working at various jute mills and also the problems the industries have been facing.

In the meeting, the union minister said that the Centre will focus on the increase of jute production by introducing new scientific technologies and also to give more push to the export of jute items.

The work would be done in both short term and long term basis. Various policy interventions would be taken up by the union textiles ministry to promote jute industry in the long term.

On the other hand, necessary steps would be taken to address various problems of the people involved with the sector, the minister assured. The minister also said that her department was taking various measures to improve the standard of living for the workers in the jute industries by arranging funds from the Swachh Bharat Mission and she also urged various companies to extend financial help to the workers under the Corporate Social Responsibility.

There was a sharp decline in the production of jute goods in the state and also in its consumption. The various sectors were opting for plastic bags instead of the jute bags leading to the fall in the consumption of jute bags.

As a result of this, the people dependent on jute industries were being affected. Another thing which was brought to the notice of the minister is that more contractual workers are engaged in the jute industries than the regular workers.

In Bengal, in last two years, jute production has gone down by 3 lakh ton while the consumption has dipped by 2.5 lakh ton. In the state, there are 40 lakh farmers involved in jute cultivation and hence, around 2 crore members, directly or indirectly, have been dependent on the jute industries.

Members of Parliament Sudhangshu Sekhar Roy and Dola Sen were also present in the meeting which was represented by the senior officials of the Jute Corporation of India, Jute Board, Jute industry officials and also the representatives of workers’ unions.