CITU to fight UPA on JPMA

Kolkata, Apr 13 (UNI) Resenting the UPA Government's decision to phase out Jute Packaging Materials Act (JPMA), the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) today vowed to fight the 'retrograde' move.

Alleging that the decision was taken under the pressure of the 'synthetic lobby', CITU's Acting General Secretary Mohammad Amin told a news conference that it would sound the death knell of jute industry.

" This is a retrograde move made under the pressure of synthetic lobby. Withdrawal of this eco-friendly policy will not only put at stake the livelihood of 4.2 million jute growers and mill workers, mostly in West Bengal, but also incur a huge environment cost. We shall go allout opposing the decision" he said.

Mr Amin demanded that while jute was universally being treated as eco-friendly fibre, the Government must revoke its decision and strengthen JPMA and allocate adequate funds for technological upgradation and R and D in this sector for diversification and value addition in jute products.

Asserting that the CITU would fight it out "tooth and nail", he also called upon all organisations among jute growers and workers to unitedly oppose the Government's decision.

UNI