Lok Sabha Question No. 1035 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Falling Price of Jute
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR, SAUGATA ROY

## 1035.

## FALLING PRICE OF JUTE

## SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR: PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  for  controlling  the  falling  price  of  the  low  grade, TD 6  variety  of  raw  jute  and  other  varieties  of  jute,  which  is  adversely  affecting  the  jute  farmers  in  the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to ensure the price of jute according to its cost of production;
- (c) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that a number of collection centres are closed and if so, the steps taken to open all the collection centres; and
- (d) whether the Government has decided to enhance the possibilities of export of jute and progress of such schemes in place for boosting export of jute and jute products and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ( )

## ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी श्री अज

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

(a) & (b) The Government of India is committed to the payment of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the jute growers in India, by ensuring that the jute at MSP will be purchased by Jute Corporation of India (JCI) wherever and whenever market price rules below MSP. The Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) taking into account factors such as cost of production, overall demand/supply situation, domestic and  international  prices  etc.  recommends  the  Minimum  Support  Price  of  raw jute  of  TD-5  for  every  jute season (July-June) and on this basis, MSP for other grades are declared.

- (c) No madam, no collection centre has been closed in the current year. At present, raw jute is being procured through 63 Centres of Jute Corporation of India (JCI) which are identified based on the need and Data Analysis of actual MSP situation during the preceding 5 crop years. Also, 13 Cooperatives are engaged by JCI for procurement of Raw Jute.
- (d) The National Jute Board (NJB) implements the Export Market Development Assistance (EDMA) Scheme for Jute Diversified Products (JDPs) by reimbursing a part of the travel expense and stall rent of the registered  manufacturers/exporters  for  participation  in  international  trade  fairs/exhibition.  The  assistance provided during the last three years under this scheme is as follows:-

|                      |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 |
|----------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Rs. In Lakhs         |    272.78 |    306.48 |     428.1 |
| No. of Beneficiaries |     51    |     63    |      86   |

To boost exports and employment in jute sector Govt. has announced the rate of 0.60% for sacks and bags made of jute under the scheme of Rebate of State Levies (RoSL).  The final RoSL rates post GST are effective from 1.10.2017. In mid-term review of FTP 2015-20, a key focus has been kept on boosting employment creation in labour intensive MSME sectors by increasing export incentives across the board under the Merchandise Export from India (MEIS) Scheme by 2 percent.  Additional MEIS provided to the textiles sector include Rs.921 cr. for handmade carpets of silk, handloom and coir and jute products.