The raw jute crisis in West Bengal is deepening, having left about one lakh workers jobless already.
"Until now 12 jute mills have closed down due to which almost one lakh workers are jobless in the state," a joint representation by mills to state Labour Minister Malay Ghatak said.
The joint representation letter also said already huge number of mills have cut down production and worker surplus is increasing in each mill.
The purpose of saving the workers and the farmers through Jute Packaging Material (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987 (JPM Act, 1987) has gone wayward.
The Ministry of Textiles has diluted the mandatory jute packaging material in wake of lower supply by the jute mills owing to raw jute shortage.
The mills say one of the main reasons for this is hoarding and speculation in raw jute by a few mills and some unscrupulous stockists and traders from the belief that production could be low due to bad weather conditions and poor rainfall.
The jute mills informed that that Jute Commissioner's office is yet to launch any anti-hoarding drive under Jute and Jute Textile Control Order 2000.
It is yet to take steps to regulate and limit stock and price of raw jute to control speculating operation and prevent unfair trade practices.
The letter to the minister reminded about the much-awaited "Jute Policy of West Bengal".
"The industry will also like to set up a committee to discuss labour reforms, to ensure manufacturing of more competitive jute products and to create more employment through growth in the future," the letter read.
