Kolkata, June 14 (KNN) The Jute Industry has demanded the government to build organised labour colonies within close proximity to the mills. This would cater to migrant workers from rural Bengal or neighbouring states.

Requesting the government for support, IJMA Director General Debasish Roy told PTI “we need government support to tap advantages under schemes like affordable rental housing complexes (ARHC), creation of a bank credit facilitation scheme for modernisation and funds for research and development.”

“Indian Jute Mills Association is keen to implement the ARHC scheme of the Centre to build labour colonies”, he added.

The Jute mills face credit unavailability issues as they are not categorised as MSMEs and can't avail schemes such as the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust and Emergency Credit Line Guarantee.

IJMA Chairman Raghavendra Gupta said "The West Bengal labour department has been discussing options for launching the scheme. Most mills have enough land within their premises to implement ARHCs.”

Among its suggestions were the National Jute Board (NJB) providing a 100-per cent credit guarantee to banks, similar to the ECLGS. The guarantee should cover modernisation capex loans with a limit of Rs 25 crore each for the mills.

In order to create greater demand for consumer jute bags replacing plastic ones, the industry body sought earmarking a sum of Rs 15 crore towards campaigning of the 'Bring-Your-Own-Bag' scheme.  (KNN Bureau)