Question : REVIVAL OF SICK JUTE MILLS

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES ( SHRI SHANKERSINH VAGHELA)

(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN CONNECTION WITH LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 282 FOR ANSWER OF 12-12-2006 REGARDING REVIVAL OF SICK JUTE MILLS

(a) The target set in the 10th Five Year Plan vis-à-vis actual production of raw jute are given below:-

Qty: In Lakh Bales	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07
Target	100.00	105.00	107.00	110.00
Actual	90.00	75.00	85.00	105.00
Production

(b) Yes Sir. The Government had decided to close down four of the six jute mills of National Jute Manufacturers Corporation (NJMC), a government of India Undertaking.

(c) The four Mills proposed for closure have been identified as unviable. For the welfare of the workers, the Government has decided to offer a VRS package to the workers of NJMC. In addition, till the VRS is finally implemented, the government has been paying salary, wages, PF, ESI and other statutory dues to the workers through budgetary support to the NJMC.

(d) Does not arise as no mills of NJMC have been closed as yet. However, the Government proposes to revive two jute mills of NJMC, viz., Kinnison and Khardah, where production has been stopped. Government of India does not propose to take up revival of any Private or State Government owned mills.

(e) The total number of jute mills referred to BIFR is 30, including the six mills of NJMC. For the revival of Kinnison and Khardah Jute Mills, proposal has been sent to Bureau for Rehabilitation of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE). Further steps for revival of these mills can be taken after the decision of the BRPSE.