(a) whether Jute prices particularly of the lower grades in various States specifically West Bengal, have slid below the minimum support price;
(b) if so, the reasons for the same;
(c) whether the Jute Corporation of India has been ineffective in providing adequate procurement support; and
(d) if so, the reasons for the same and the action taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI AJAY TAMTA)
(a) & (b): No madam. At present, market prices of raw jute in various States including West Bengal are ruling above the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
(c) & (d): Jute Corporation of India (JCI) had procured 6.10 lakh quintals of raw jute in the crop year 2017-18, which is the highest in the last nine crop years. JCI has also taken various steps to be in readiness for conducting MSP operations during the current crop year, should the need arise.
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