COVID-19: Jute mills seek exemption to operate during lockdown

Kolkata, Mar 27 () The Indian Jute MillsAssociation has sought exemption from the Centre to resumetheir operations during the 21-day nationwide lockdown imposedto contain the coronavirus outbreak, saying that shortage ofjute bags could lead to a disruption of foodgrain supply, anofficial said on Friday.

The industry body also urged West Bengal ChiefMinister Mamata Banerjee to give permission to restartoperation in the mills.

"Food Corporation of India and state procurementagencies require jute bags urgently in view of the arrival offoodgrains for RMS (Rabi marketing season) 2020-21.

"Non-availability of packing material at the time offoodgrains arrival can derail the procurement process andcreate law and order problem in various states," the IJMA saidin a letter to Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday.

It also requested that the mills engaged in themanufacture of jute sacking bags, an important material underthe Essential Commodities Act, 1955, be exempted from thelockdown and allowed to resume production, the industry bodysaid.

Workers in jute mills are either living in quarters inthe mill premises or staying nearby, and hence the need toavail public transport does not arise, the official of theassociation said.

The IJMA also assured the Centre and the West Bengalgovernment that the mills will abide by the safety guidelinesand ensure adequate availability of masks and sanitisers forworkers. BSMBDC BDC