Question : PLIGHT OF JUTE GROWERS

(a) the steps being taken by the Union Government to deal with the problems of jute growers in the country including Karnataka;

(b) whether Union Government has entrusted the Jute Corporation of India the work of procuring jute from the jute growers without stipulating any ceiling;

(c) if so, whether the Union Government compensates the losses incurred by the Jute Corporation of India in its operations of purchasing jute on minimum support prices; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the minimum support price of jute fixed by the Union Government for the year 2009-10?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES(SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)

(a): The Government has launched the Jute Technology Mission (JTM) in major jute growing States in February 2007 for holistic growth and development of Jute and Diversified Jute Products at an estimated cost of Rs. 355.55 crore. The Mission is to be implemented by 2012. The Mission has four Mini-Missions of which Mini-Missions-I and II are being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation and Mini-Missions-III & IV are being implemented by the Ministry of Textiles. In addition, Government provides price support to farmers through Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations.

(b): Yes, Madam. The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) has been entrusted with the work of procuring jute from the jute growers under operations. There is no ceiling on JCI for procurement under MSP.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The losses incurred by JCI under the MSP operations are being compensated by Ministry of Textiles .The details of which are as under:

(Rs. in crore)

Year	Amount

2006-07	28.00

2007-08	30.00

2008-09	36.59