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Lok Sabha
There are several schemes to support and revive the jute industry, such as Jute Manufacturers Development Council(JMDC) incentive scheme for modernization of jute industry, External Market Assistance (EMA) scheme, National Centre for Jute Diversification (NCJD)’s schemes for Jute Service Centre, Raw Jute Material Bank Scheme, Product Development and Market Support Schemes, Jute Entrepreneurs Assistance Scheme (JEAS), NGO Assistance Scheme, etc. The Ministry of Textiles has its flagship scheme of Technological Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFs), which includes the jute industry.
The Ministry of Textiles encourages diversification and modernization of the jute industry through Research and Development (R&D) support to the Indian Jute Industries Research Association (IJIRA) and for capacity building and skill development through support to the Institute of Jute Technology (IJT).
The Government is in the process of formulating a comprehensive jute policy. In order to solicit viewpoints from all concerned stakeholders and to have detailed discussion on the subject, a National Conference on jute was convened at Kolkata on 19th and 20th November, 2004. Recommendations on the matter have been received. As policy formulation is a lengthy consultative process, it may not be appropriate to assign a time frame for announcing the jute policy at this stage.
The Government has ordered to pack foodgrains and sugar to the extent of 100% and 90% respectively in jute bags during the jute year 2004-05, ending on 30th June, 2005, under the Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987.
This information was given by Shri Mahabir Prasad, Minister of Small Scale Industries & Agro and Rural Industries in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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