Tk 2 cr allocated to purchase raw jute for 7 jute mills

The government has allocated an amount of Tk 2 crore to purchase raw jute for seven state-owned jute mills in Khulna-Jessore industrial belt.
The fund will reach the respective jute mills through Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) soon, said Alim Jute Mills project director Monowar Hossain.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at BJMC head office in Dhaka on Tuesday. But the six-hour meeting held between the high officials of BJMC and project directors of seven jute mills did not take any decision on payment of arrears of workers, said a reliable source at BJMC Khulna zonal office.
Presided by BJMC chairman Ataharul Islam, the meeting discussed at length matters relating to payment of workers' arrears, Crescent Jute Mills acting project director Mujibar Rahman Mallick said.
The meeting also resolved that BJMC would seek allocation of funds required for payment of all dues of workers to subdue their ongoing agitation.
Meanwhile, Jute Mill Workers' Development Committee (JMWDC) leaders sharply reacted for non-allocation of funds for payment of workers' dues. 'BJMC authorities would be held responsible for creating untoward situation in the industrial belt if the dues of workers are not paid by the September 14 deadline', JMWDC convenor Gazi Masum threatened.
Workers of Crescent Jute Mills, Star Jute Mills and Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills are on fresh agitation since September 7 to press home their eight- point demand.
They already snapped electricity and water supply lines of the administrative buildings and officials quarters on September 7 and withdrew gardeners and sweepers from there the same day. They also brought out a coffin procession at Khalishpur on September 9 as part of their agitation.
Fifteen workers of the three jute mills will go for self-immolation on September 15 if their demands are not met by September 14, JMWDC convenor Gazi Masum said.