Textile Ministry plans policy intervention for jute sector

Kolkata, Sept 6 (PTI) The Union Textile Ministry isconsidering policy intervention, both long-term and short-term, to address the issues impeding the growth of the juteindustry upon which the economy of West Bengal is highlydependent. "We are trying to find out what can be done throughlong-term policy intervention to promote the sector. Separatebrainstorming sessions will be held with mill owners andfarmers," Textile Secretary Rashmi Verma informed after ameeting of the jute industry stakeholders chaired by UnionTextile Minister Smriti Irani. The government would also try to devise solutions forshort-term issues affecting the sector after further detailedmeetings, she said. The meeting was attended by the Indian Jute MillsAssociation, jute balers’ association, trade unions, farmersbody and other stakeholders. Verma said that jute mills raised issues like intensecompetition and cheap Bangladeshi import while jute balerssaid they were receiving late payments from mills and in turnfarmers’ compensation was also being delayed. Trinamool Rajya Sabhya MP Sukehndu Sekhar Roy, who wasalso present at the meeting, said that under no circumstancesthe mandatory Jute Packaging Act should be diluted aslivelihood of lakhs of people was associated with it. "I have also asked the Centre to take a balanced approach,so that mills are not closed in the name of disciplinaryaction," he said. "The Jute Commissioner office has taken action against 11jute mills on divergent issues of violation of the jutecontrol order. We are not against any action but have saidthat government should also look into the fact that mills donot get closed," Roy said. Citing an instance, Roy said that the North Brook Millremained closed and some 4,000 workers were rendered jobless. Roy further praised Union Minister, saying she (Irani) isvery positive-minded and is sensitive towards the juteworkers’ plight. Later during the day, Verma held a Jute Board meetingand reviewed the status of the textile sector in the easternstates. PTI BSM MDABI