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Our Bureau

Kolkata , April 27

IN an effort to modernise the jute industry, the Union Cabinet is likely to clear the proposed Jute Technology Mission within two months. The Union Textile Ministry has decided to link modernisation with jute bag orders for the kharif crop.

According to Mr R. Poornalingam, Union Textile Secretary, the Planning Commission has already cleared the proposal for the Jute Technology Mission. The plan outlay for this mission has been pegged at Rs 350 crore.

"The National Jute Policy, which was announced about 10 days ago, has mentioned this Jute Technology Mission. We are hoping to get the proposal cleared by the Union Cabinet within the next two months," he said.

Mr Poornalingam was in the city to participate in an interactive workshop on the prospects and challenges of the jute industry organised by several State Government agencies, including Webcon (West Bengal Consultancy Organisation Ltd).

According to him, the mission would be somewhat similar to the Cotton Technology Mission. He added that fresh investments should flow into the jute industry for its modernisation and upgradation.

He assured the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, that the Union Government was committed to the development of the jute industry.

The mandatory packaging order for sugar and foodgrain would continue but would be reviewed after every year, he added.

Mr Bhattacharjee requested the Union Government to increase the mandatory packaging orders for the sugar sector to 100 per cent from the current level of 90 per cent.

He urged the industry to think of new products. "How long will you continue to produce bags? You should think of new products and for that, modernisation and diversification of the industry is needed."

However, he added that jute bags would continue to be main product of the sector.

Mr Poornalingam said the share of diversified products in the jute industry should increase to 20 per cent during the next five years from the current level of five per cent.

Regarding the linkage of Government jute bag orders to the foodgrain sector, Mr S. Majumdar, Jute Commissioner, said it was likely to begin from the kharif season.

The move is aimed at creating pressure on the jute industry to go for modernisation activities.

On the proposed National Jute Board, Mr Poornalingam said that it would create an organic link among the several Governmental agencies operating in the sector.

The board is likely to be ready within the next few months.

Mr Bhattacharjee said Jute Corporation of India (JCI) should be revamped but without compromising on its minimum support price operations. "JCI should purchase raw jute from the farmers and directly sell it to the mills," he added.

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