(a) the performance of Jute Manufactures Development Council, the Jute Corporation of India, National Jute Manufactures Corporation, Jute Manufactures Council and National Centre for Jute Diversification all based in Kolkata during the financial years 2015-16 and 2016-17 for better production in India and abroad; and
(b) their performance to raise the standard of living of jute growers and manufacturers and upgrading the products in West Bengal?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI AJAY TAMTA)
(a) & (b) The Government has taken several initiatives to raise the standard of living of jute growers and manufacturers in the jute sector including in West Bengal by implementing schemes through its organizations like National Jute Board (NJB), Jute Corporation of India (JCI) etc. NJB was established on 1st April, 2010 under the National Jute Board Act, 2008 subsuming the two erstwhile organizations: Jute Manufactures Development Council (JMDC) and National Centre for Jute Diversification (NCJD). NJB has been implementing specific schemes for increasing productivity and production of jute and jute goods in the country. The details of the schemes implemented by NJB during the years 2015-16 and 2016-17 are as follows:-
i. Jute-ICARE (Jute: Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise): This pilot project launched in 2015 is aimed at addressing the difficulties faced by the jute cultivators by providing them certified seeds at subsidized rates, seed drills to facilitate line sowing, nail-weeders to carry out periodic weeding and by popularising several newly developed retting technologies under water limiting conditions. This has resulted in increased returns to jute farmers. A total amount of Rs. 7.85 crores was spent during the years 2015-16 and 2016-17 benefitting more than 63,000 farmers.
ii. Incentive Scheme for Acquisition of Plants and Machinery (ISAPM): Government of India is implementing ISAPM for Jute Industry and Jute Diversified Products Manufacturing Units. The basic aim of this scheme is to facilitate modernization in existing and new jute mills and up- gradation of technology in existing jute mills and to provide assistance to a large number of entrepreneurs to manufacture value added biodegradable Jute Diversified Products (JDP) as well as for modernization and up-gradation of technology. A total amount of Rs. 22.24 crores was disbursed to the jute mills during the years 2015-16 and 2016-17 for modernizing the machinery.
iii. Jute Integrated Development Scheme (JIDS): A new scheme was launched in 2016 for improving capacity building of small and tiny JDP units through training and production support, raw material and marketing support to promote and propagate jute diversification across the country. Market facilitation to the Jute Diversified Products (JDP) units, SHGs, WSHGs, NGOs, and other such agencies will also be one of the areas of focused activities of the Board. The JIDSs have helped in creating and sustaining the production units thereby generating employment to people in the rural areas through entrepreneurship development and the setting up of Self Help Groups, particularly Women Self Help Groups (WHSGs). At present, 43 JIDS centres are in operation in different parts of the country out of which 18 were operationalized in 2016-17.
iv. Jute Raw Material Bank (JRMB) Scheme: This scheme is aimed at accelerating the pace of JDP activities in the country and focus exclusively to cater to the jute unorganised sector and production units so that jute raw material is supplied to them regularly. As on March, 2018, 20 JRMBs are operational in different parts of the country. An amount of Rs. 14.87 lakhs was disbursed to 9 JRMBs under the scheme in the year 2016-17.
v. Export Market Development Assistance Scheme: The Export Market Development Assistance (EMDA) Scheme facilitates registered manufacturers and exporters of jute products to participate in international fairs and business delegation abroad for export promotion of lifestyle and other JDPs. During the years 2015-16 and 2016-17, financial support amounting to Rs. 734.60 lakhs to 136 exporters/entrepreneurs has been provided under this scheme.
vi. Workers’ Welfare Scheme (Sulabh Sauchalaya): Under this scheme, 26 Toilet Blocks were constructed in 26 Jute Mills during the year 2015-16 and 2016-17 by releasing grant amounting to of 5.25 crores.
vii. Incentives to Successful Students of Jute Mill: Scholarships worth Rs. 593 lakhs were given to a total of 7,593 girl children of Jute Mill workers for being successful in secondary and higher secondary examinations during the year 2015-16 and 2016-17.
As on date, 75 jute mills are functioning in the country to produce jute sacking and other products to meet the requirement of the domestic and international markets. National Jute Manufactures Corporation (NJMC) is among the Central Public Sector Enterprises identified for closure by the NITI Aayog.
Jute Corporation of India (JCI) is playing a key role in supporting the jute sector, particularly, the jute farmers. Whenever the market price of raw jute falls below a certain level, the JCI procures raw jute at Minimum Support Price (MSP), fixed on the basis of recommendation of the commission for Agricultural Cost and Prices (CACP) from jute growers to safeguard their interest. During the years 2015-16 and 2016-17 a total quantity of 4.13 lakh quintals of raw jute was procured by JCI under MSP and Commercial operations.
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