IJMA urges West Bengal govt to introduce jute policy

Centre's recent move to reduce and peg orders at 2.5 lakh bales per month would affect millions of jute cultivators, said the body

Jute industry has urged the West Bengal government to introduce a Jute Policy along with jute packaging laws for different agro products in the state for sustainability of the jute sector.

"Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) has met the state Labour Minister Malay Ghatak recently and apprised him of the latest problems. Beside, requesting him to take some immediate steps, we have urged him that state government issues order for packing 100% potato and rice in jute bags," an IJMA official told PTI.

"We have tried to convey that there is an urgent need for a Jute Policy and jute packaging laws for different agro products in the state for long term sustainability as the Centre remains indifferent to the problems of the jute sector," he said.

There is a compulsory Jute Packaging Act (JPM 1987) by the Centre, but there is gradual dilution in orders. The Union government in the past pointed out corruption and inability to meet the demand of the government by the jute mills.

IJMA in their memorandum to Ghatak said, the Centre's recent move to reduce and peg orders at 2.5 lakh bales per month would affect millions of jute cultivators and they would be deprived of proper income.

There is possibility of bumper production of to over 90 lakh bales of raw jute this year, he said.

IJMA has also asked the minister to convene a meeting of group of ministers of the state along with the Jute Commissioner to sort out immediate issues.