July 9, 2014
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy speaks on problems of Jute Industry | Transcript
Sir, my notice was for only one issue. Therefore, I would like to speak on that. I have given notice only on one issue, on the issue of jute. Sir, Shri Tapan Kumar Sen has raised three issues. But I have given notice only for one issue. I will speak in Bengali. I have given my notice to speak in Bengali in advance. Therefore, I should be allowed to speak.
Hon’ble Sir, I shall speak particularly on the issue of jute industry. Jute is produced not only in West Bengal, but also in other states of North-eastern and Eastern India, like Bihar, Orissa, Assam, Tripura, and in Andhra Pradesh in Southern India. There are about 79 jute factories in India. Most of these factories are functioning, but it is unfortunate that for the last few years, Government of India have been steadily diluting the Jute Packaging Material Act. First of all, they kept cement out of the jute packaging list; it was followed by fertilizer, and now food packaging has been excluded – the latter being diluted to 80 per cent from the compulsory 100 per cent. In case of sugar industry, it was drastically reduced to 20 per cent from the earlier 100 per cent. It was a dilution of 80 per cent.
And now the ill-famous Rangarajan Committee has recommended that the whole sugar industry should be kept out of the compulsory jute packaging. It is affecting all the jute factories. About 40 lakh jute farmers and 4 lakh jute industrial workers across the country have been suffering due to this decision. These farmers and workers belonging to the minority community, SC/ST and OBC will starve and die.
Sir, this is a matter of national importance. It is an issue of national importance. I must tell all. Only one minute I am asking from you. We should think about our environment. The government has surrendered to the plastic lobby. Plastic is an element that adversely affects our environment; on the other hand, jute is a natural fibre. A natural fibre like jute is not being provided adequate protection; rather plastic is being introduced into food packaging. This will result in life-threatening diseases like cancer. So I am demanding that from the new government that the Jute Packaging Material Act should be appropriately implemented and the dilution of jute packaging should be forthwith withdrawn.
