WB govt demands compulsory jute packaging

A memorandum would be submitted to the Centre for making jute packaging mandatory, West Bengal Labour Minister Purnendu Bose said today.
"Jute packaging norms in grains and sugar have been diluted, while cement has shifted to plastic completely. That is wrong. Jute is an agriculture-based industry, it is a natural fibre and eco-friendly too," Bose told reporters on the sidelines of a Bengal Chamber programme.
Stating that a delegation would submit a memorandum in Delhi soon on the demands, he said that mandatory jute packaging would also help the industry in the state.
Earlier, at the Northbrook Jute Mill at Bhadreswar in Hooghly district where its CEO H K Maheswari was lynched by workers on June 15, Bose alleged a possible CPI(M)-BJP axis behind the killing without naming them.

"Those who have come to power in Delhi and those who have lost power here are directly linked with the incident. They are directly responsible for the problems in the jute industry," Bose said.
The state has handed over the investigation into the killing to the CID to book the culprits as early as possible, while the CEO's wife had sought police protection which would be provided, he said.

Maheswari was lynched by agitated mill workers when the management did not agree to their demands to increase working hours.
Bose said he met owners of the mill and labour union members.

"But it is unfortunate that CITU was absent from the meeting. We are trying to solve the problem and start the mill," he said.