Govt to introduce jute policy

KOLKATA: The jute sector is likely to get a boost as the Centre plans to come out with an integrated, comprehensive jute policy, while the Planning Commission has approved Rs 500 crore fund for the Jute Technology Mission.

"We will soon come out with an integrated, comprehensive jute policy for which discussions are being held at various levels," Union Textiles Secretary Wajahat Habibullah told newspersons here on Monday.

He said the Planning Commission has also approved Rs 500 crore fund for the Jute Technology Mission, aimed at modernisation and diversification of the sector.

Stating that the UPA government at had its focus on the development of the labour-intensive sector, Habibullah said the new policy, which was expected to be introduced by next month, would be implemented through consultation with the industry and training institutes.

Asked about the closed units of NJMC, he said "we are working out measures to address the issue."

While welcoming the Centre''s move, Jute Commissioner Subhakirti Majumdar said the major concern for the government was the indefinite strike called by the trade unions from November 29.

"It will lead to huge production loss. We are concerned and thinking of ways to tackle the problem," he said. About the dilution in the mandatory packaging order for the jute sector, the textiles secretary said the government was committed to give adequate protection to the sector.

He also asked the industry to take advantage of the new jute policy and the JTM.

Earlier, speaking at a seminar ''Agro-India, 2004,'' organised by Ficci (Eastern Region Council), Saurabh K Das, executive director, National Centre for Jute Diversification, said the industry should focus on exploiting the global market in view of increased appetite of the market for eco-friendly jute products.

Ficci (ERC) chairman C K Dhanuka said "both jute agriculture and industry provide enormous scope of sustaining and creating new employment opportunities. This calls for a growth plan in the jute sector for the next five to seven years both in terms of raw jute production and jute goods."