Bodies concerned observed that due to shrinking policy of the government workers are dying of hunger, starving family members are rushing towards the gruel kitchens opened by civil society, and the academic career of hundreds of students have become uncertain.

While the demand for jute is rising in the global market for its eco-friendly nature, and the number of industries is increasing in India following suggestions of the World Bank and the graph of jute export from Bangladesh saw a new height according to the export promotion bureau, it is not clear why the government has gone for such suicidal attempt, observed different quarters.

Their reactions came following the govt declaration on July 18 to shut down four state-owned jute mills, 84 jute purchasing centres and retrench 14000 workers from 22 mills as part of its three-year reform programme which would require Tk 1367 crore to revive the country's jute sector.

Terming the govt roadmap a 'shrinking policy', Ain O Salish Kendra said though successive governments in the last two and a half decades adopted the same policy with no visible result, the present government has expressed the hope that with this road map they would revive the sector.

Citing the examples of privatisation of state-owned jute mills in 1981-82 and signing of the treaty 'Jute Sector Adjustment Credit' on February 17, 1994, a press release of the ASK said, "Though these steps were taken to turn the jute sector profit-oriented, in reality 31 jute mills were closed down in 1981 and another six in 1994.

"Even during the era of former government the same 'shrinking policy' was followed to rescue the sick sector and as a result the largest jute mill in the world 'Adamjee Jute Mills' was shut down on January 24, 2002," it added.

So there is no room to expect something better from this strategy, ASK said, adding, if the money that is required to implement the roadmap could be invested rationally the loss-incurring jute sector may earn profit.

Meanwhile, People's Commission - Jute and Jute Industry said earlier also the decisions to revive jute sector ended up with closing down jute mills one after another leaving the mill workers without jobs and realising their arrears.

"Jute which is inseparable part of our culture should be treated with proper care", the commission demanded adding, the culprits that caused the destruction of this sector should be punished and an independent jute policy should be formulated immediately.

Workers Party of Bangladesh President Khondokar Ali Abbas and General Secretary Saiful Haque in a press statement termed the government initiative to revive the jute sector by retrenching workers 'insensible and destructive', while Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu and Syed Jafar Sajjad said the comment of the adviser was nothing but a 'tall-talk'.

Communist Party of Bangladesh President Monjurul Ahsan Khan and General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim demanded immediate retreat from the proposed roadmap that thinks retrenching of mill workers is the panacea to revive the jute sector.

Pat Suta Bostrokol Sramik Karmochari Songram Parishad, Odhikar, Samajtantrik Sramik Front and Bangladesh Songjukto Garment Sramik Federation have also expressed concern over the decision of the government.

However, Pat O Pat Shilpa Rakkha O Unnayon Jatiyo Somonnoy Committee has hailed the government decision of disbursing Tk 200 crore for purchasing jute and made some recommendations that included initiatives to resolve the problems of jute workers in Khulna region, opening up of closed jute mills and rendering help through effective banking and other services.