Govt to increase MSP for raw jute: Maran

Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran today said the government is in favour of increasing the minimum support price (MSP) for raw jute by at least Rs 300 per quintal.

"There is a need to encourage farmers to increase the production of raw jute in the country," Maran said at an interaction on the future of Indian jute industry here.

At present, the MSP for raw jute stands at Rs 1,375 per quintal.

Criticising the jute industry for failing to modernise factories Maran said, "since there is a definite business from the government, the industry has become lethargic."

"There is a need to change attitude and the industry has to wake up," he said.

Unlike the cotton technology mission, he said, the progress of the jute technology mission is slow.

"The jute industry needs to diversify to protect its future. The government protection like compulsory jute packaging for food grains will not live for long, the crutches will go some day," the minister said.

He also said national fibre policy would be in place by the end of this year, which would aim at giving a level playing field to man-made fibres and natural fibres to compete in the global market.