Jute industry expects discussion in Modi-Mamata meet

Kolkata, May 9: West Bengal jute industry, which has rendered about one lakh workers jobless, is pinning hopes on Saturday's meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to end its woes.

"Already 15 mills have closed making nearly one lakh workers jobless. More will face closure unless there is assurance of adequate orders. We hope that the matter will come up in the meeting," former Indian Jute Mills Association Chairman Sanjay Kajaria told PTI.

He said, the closure was taking place after industry apprehended that procurement in the Kharif season would be far less than Rabi crop.

Kajaria said in the Rabi season that ended in March 2015, the procurement was reduced by 30 per cent under the NDA government. Kharif procurement was supposed to begin from May 15.

Until now, indications were that there would be low orders, he said. There are 59 jute mills in the state, which offer direct livelihood to about 2.5 lakh workers.

PTI