India approves Jute Board Bill

Indian government on Friday cleared the National Jute Board Bill, 2006, in the forthcoming winter session of Parliament and to move official amendments in the Bill at the time of its consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks expansion of the functions and membership of the Jute Board and the definition of jute.
Announcing the decision at the end of the Cabinet meeting, the information and broadcasting minister, Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, said the decision was taken on the basis of recommendations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on labour and related to the expansion of functions and membership of the Jute Board and the definition of jute. The establishment of a National Jute Board was envisaged in the government's National Jute Policy, 2005.
The Jute Board is structured to serve the developmental needs of the industry and restructuring the operational arms in charge of exports and diversification to enable them to devise dynamic strategies for the export markets.
The jute industry provides sustenance to more than four million people, including jute farmers, workmen, labourers and self-employed artisans and weavers.