Lok Sabha passes National Jute Board Bill

New Delhi, Oct 21 (UNI) The Lok Sabha today passed by voice vote the National Jute Bill, 2006 for setting up a National Jute Board for the development of the cultivation, manufacturing and marketing of jute and its products.

The 20-member board is to be set up by merging Jute Manufacturers Development Council and the National Centre for Jute Diversification. The Bill repeals the Council.

The services of officers and employees of the two merged entities will be transferred to the board on the same terms and conditions they had in their respective bodies.

The board will be entitled to tax exemptions or benefits which were available to the two merged bodies under the Income Tax Act.

Winding up the debate on the Bill, Textiles Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela said three members of the House, three jute farmers and three jute workers and two experts have been inducted into the board.

To a pointed query on the fate of Jute Corporation of India, the Minister indicated it might also be merged in the board in the future.

Lok Sabha members ..... EDS: Pls pick up from Line one, Para one of Par 29 'Jute Board Bill LS'.

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