The West Bengal Government on Thursday met the representatives of the Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) and other mill owners.

The State Government, an IJMA release said, will make a strong case for 100 per cent reservation of packaging of foodgrains and sugar in jute bags.

According to Raghavendra Gupta, Chairman, IJMA, the representatives met the jute panel committee set up by the State Government.

“IJMA had a detailed meeting….viable steps suggested during the discussion which will help in revival of the jute industry in West Bengal…. We would like to continue our correspondence to ensure the betterment of the industry,” Gupta said as per a release of IJMA.

The meeting took place in the wake of a CEO of a jute mill being beaten to death by workers.

The association said in a release that issues pertaining to the jute industry – that include introducing 100 per cent packaging of rice and potatoes produced in Bengal and use of jute geotextiles for road construction in the state – were taken up.

IJMA is also said to have pushed for a uniform labour policy in the jute industry (in West Bengal). Concerns were also raised about subsidised imports from Bangladesh and unorganised jute mills mushrooming across different districts of the state.