Jute Policy

Amid an acute shortage of raw material and spiralling prices, jute millers in West Bengal are seeking the new BJP government's intervention to avert large-scale mill closures and job losses, industry sources said. At least 14 mills across the Hooghly industrial belt have either suspended operations or are facing severe production disruptions due to non-availability of raw jute and unviable costs, according to Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) sources. "With the last JBA (Jute Balers' Association) rate frozen at Rs 17,100 per quintal, trade banned, and the new crop ten weeks away, Bengal's mills are being asked to run operations without raw material," a former IJMA chairman told PTI. Millers hope that the new government will act for the "release of residual stocks, permission for emergency imports, and restoration of a viable price corridor to support mills where two lakh workers are engaged", he said. According to the millers' estimates, around 75,000 workers are already facing

An association of jute balers has written to the Union Textile Ministry opposing the Indian Jute Mills Association's (IJMA) recommendation to ban stockholding of raw jute, contending that such a move would disrupt the supply chain and hurt farmers' interests. In a letter to the ministry, the Jute Balers' Association presented a counter view to IJMA's proposal seeking restrictions on the holding of raw fibre stocks by balers and traders. In its representation to the textile ministry, IJMA had urged the Centre to ban private raw jute trading to tame the unprecedented price of the raw material, which is causing mills to cut production, shutdown and job losses. The association said balers play a crucial role in procuring raw jute from farmers, grading and storing it, and ensuring steady supplies to mills throughout the year. Imposing a ban on stockholding would adversely affect this system and create avoidable volatility in the market, it argued. The balers' body urged the textile ...

Besides the MSP hike on jute, the Union Cabinet also approved the continuation of the National Health Mission NHM for an additional five years

A body of jute suppliers have written to Union Minister Giriraj Singh, alleging that raw material imports from Bangladesh, either directly by mills or through third parties, have adversely impacted the industry and farmers. In a letter to the textile minister, the Jute Balers' Association has raised concerns over the "unregulated import of raw jute" from the neighbouring country and "low orders" for mills have led to a severe payment crisis for domestic raw jute suppliers. Indian Jute Mills Association has also raised concerns over the issue and sought intervention from the central and state governments to tide over the crisis. A meeting between the industry stakeholders and the ministry is expected later on Monday, an official said. The balers' association, which has been serving the sector for over 115 years, outlined the critical issues threatening the industry's survival. "Despite a bumper crop year in 2023-24, where domestic supply was sufficient, mills have continued to impo

India has extended anti-dumping duty on imports of certain jute products from Nepal and Bangladesh for five years, a move aimed at protecting domestic players from cheap inbound shipments. These duties were imposed following recommendations of the commerce ministry's investigation arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR). The DGTR, in its probe in September last year, concluded that there is continued dumping of these products from Nepal and Bangladesh and the imports are likely to enter the Indian market at dumped prices in the event of cessation of existing duty. It had recommended continued imposition of the anti-dumping duty on the imports to remove injury to the domestic industry. According to a notification of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the duty imposed "shall be levied for a period of five years (unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier)". The duty ranges between USD 6.3 per tonne and USD 351.72 per tonne. It is applicable to produc

He denied allegations of neglect of West Bengal's jute industry

Around 4.8 lakh bales of jute bags worth Rs 1,500 crore could not be supplied and were replaced by plastic in November and December 2021

Raw jute suppliers have decided to suspend trading activities of the commodity for an indefinite period from November 23 to protest against the Centre's decision to reduce the maximum stock limit

At present, three major jute mills remained closed due to working capital crunch, industry sources said

Supply of jute bags from jute ministry has remained patchy during the kharif marketing season, prompting the Food ministry to look for other alternatives

Almost 200,000 workers are engaged in 77 jute mills

Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices wants dilution of food grain packaging to 75% from 90%

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