People's Democracy

CITU Denounces Govt Decision To Phase Out Jute Act   

M K Pandhe, president, Centre of India Trade Unions (CITU) issued the following statement on April 13, 2007  

THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) expresses its deep concern over the union government’s decision to phase out Jute Packaging Materials Act (JPMA), 1987. The CITU strongly opposes such retrograde move to reverse the environment-friendly policy initiated through JPMA. Jute is universally treated as an eco-friendly fibre. The CITU regrets to note that the government, under the pressure of synthetic lobby, is unabashedly pleading the case of plastic and other synthetic fibre ignoring India’s advantage with its vast jute production and simultaneous value addition through jute products in various jute mills.  

The CITU expresses its deep shock over the government’s lack of concern and apathy towards livelihood of 40 lakh jute growers and 2 lakh jute mill workers mostly in the state of West Bengal who are engaged in jute sector. It is a pity the nation is being called upon to incur a huge environment cost by phasing out JPMA only to satisfy the whims and greed of the strong synthetic lobby. The CITU would fight tooth and nail against such retrograde policy of phasing out JPMA which would sound the death knell to the jute industry. The CITU urges upon the government to strengthen JPMA, allocate adequate fund for technological upgradation and R&D in this sector for diversification and value addition in jute products.  

The CITU calls upon all the federation/associations/unions among the jute growers and workers to unitedly raise their voice of protest and mobilise people to fight against the decision of phasing out JPMA. 

Our correspondent B Prasant adds from Kolkata:  

The union government’s recent decision to phase out the use of gunny bags in favour of synthetic products has been met with a strong protest from the CITU. Working general secretary of the CITU Mohd Amin said in Kolkata that the union government must take back its decision to phase out the use of jute–made bags.   

Mohd Amin said that the decision of the union government was a direct fall-out of the spreading influence of the synthetic lobby. Mohd Amin added to say that the CITU would soon organise a meeting with other central TUs on the issue and take a decision about the future course of action. The CITU will also take the issue up with the various mass organisations.  

Bengal CITU president Shyamal Chakraborty said that even in the developed countries, synthetic material was rejected in favour of jute products. The World Health Organisation has already come out with the view that synthetics were not biodegradable and thus not environment-friendly.  

(INN)