Lok Sabha Question No. 409 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: Jute Industry
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: LAXMAN GILUWA

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*409 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2016

## JUTE  INDUSTRY

## *409. SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the miserable condition of producers, labourers and artisans engaged in jute industry, and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of schemes/programmes drawn for the development of jute industry including welfare of jute workers;
- (c) the funds allocated, utilised and progress made in improving the quality of life of jute workers; and
- (d) the  various  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Union  Government  to  provide them sufficient marketing facilities for improving their living standards?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *409 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2016.

(a): In  order  to  assess  the  living  conditions  of  jute  workers,  a  study  on  the Socio-Economic Conditions of Jute Mill Workers was conducted in 2015-16 by National  Jute  Board  (NJB).  The  findings  of  the  study,  inter  alia,  indicate  that 96.4% workers have electricity in their houses; that 91% of the families have piped water  supply;  that  99%  of  the  workers  have  access  to  toilets;  and  that  the  mill workers have health coverage under ESI.

(b) to (d): Government  of  India  provides  an  assured  market  to  the  jute  sector under the Jute Packaging Materials Act (JPM), 1987. Under this Act, Government has mandated that 90% of foodgrains and 20% of sugar be packed in jute bags. The annual subsidy for this amounts to Rs.5500 crore approximately. Apart from this,  the  National Jute Board (NJB) has been implementing several measures for the  benefit  of  workers,  artisans  and  small  producers  and  for  promotion  of  the jute industry.  These include:

- (i). Workers'  Welfare  Scheme  (Sulabh  Sauchalaya) for  improvement  of sanitation, health facilities and working conditions of jute mill workers.
- (ii). Incentives to Children of Jute Mill Workers for extending support to the Workers' families towards education of their children through a scholarship scheme.
- (iii). Export Market Development Assistance Scheme to  facilitate  registered manufacturer exporters of jute products to participate in international fairs and take business delegations abroad for export promotion of lifestyle and other diversified jute products
- (iv). Retail Outlet of Jute Diversified Products  Scheme for providing assistance  to  jute  entrepreneurs  for  opening  of  outlets  of  jute  lifestyle jute  products  in  Metro  Cities,  State  capitals,  District  Head  Offices  and Tourist spots; and
- (v). Focused Market Initiatives for organising and participation in Jute Fairs, National Fairs / Regional Fairs, Export oriented fairs in India & abroad to extend marketing support to the artisans, small and micro entrepreneurs:

The details of the above initiatives and the funds utilised under the above schemes are given in the ANNEXURE .

## Interventions by the National Jute Board during the last 3 years for Development of the Jute Industry and Welfare of Jute Workers:

## (i) Workers' Welfare Scheme (Sulabh Sauchalaya)

2013-14

305.84

17

14

Rs. Lakhs

No. of Toilet Blocks

No. of Mills

2014-15

194.33

13

9

## (ii) Incentives to Successful Children of Jute Mill Workers

Support  provided  to  7546  children  of  Jute  Mill  workers  for  being  successful  in secondary and higher secondary examinations and also to successful graduate and post graduate children:

2013-14

122.30

1674

Rs. Lakhs

No. of Students

## (iii) Export Market Development Assistance Scheme

2013-14

230.09

61

Rs. Lakhs

No. of Beneficiaries

2014-15

187.20

2721

2014-15

272.78

51

## (iv) Retail Outlet of Jute Diversified Products Scheme

2013-14

84.78

10

2014-15

71.11

11

2015-16

246.40

3151

2015-16

306.48

63

2015-16

94.75

20

Rs. Lakhs

No. of Outlets

## (v) Focused Market Initiatives

|   Sl. | Activity                                     | 2013-14      | 2014-15      | 2015-16      |
|-------|----------------------------------------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
|     1 | No. of fairs                                 | 73           | 61           | 49           |
|     2 | No. of units which participated in the fairs | 1211         | 898          | 682          |
|     3 | Expenditure                                  | Rs.709 lakhs | Rs.551 lakhs | Rs.273 lakhs |

****

2015-16

249.46

12

9