CPI(M) urges PM to intervene to resolve Jute industry stalemate

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has urged the Government immediate intervention to resolve the ongoing stakenate of the Jute industry in West Bengal.

A delegation of the CPI (M) MPs called on the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here today and apprised him of the latest development in this sector in the state.

The members informed the PM that the Jute millers have imposed an unilateral pay cut on 2.5 lakh workers by stopping of Dearness Allowance and ignoring the tripartite agreement reached by them in respect of PF, ESI and retirement benefits.

The delegation had earlier held a meeting with the Textile Ministr Shankersingh Vaghela on this issue.

This step of the Jute millers have adversely affected the economy of nearly four million jute growers in the state.

The State Government at its level has tried to resolve this issue through several conciliation move but the adamant approach of the jute millers of not honouring the agreement and laws resulted in the failure of all those moves, they added.

Even a tripartite meeting organised by the Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes also failed to bring out the desired outcome.

The Prime Minister has assured the delegation that he will look into the matter and discuss with all concerned agencies and authorities to find out an early solution.

The delegation was led by party's Lok Sabha leader Basudev Acharia.

UNI