AGARTALA, May 20 (TIWN): Negligence and improper management of government has simply vanished the concept of Jute cultivation from the state.

Tripura has a conducive climate for Jute cultivation, but today it has reached to the verge of extinction and at this movement of crisis, Tripura Jute Mills Limited in joint collaboration with Jute Corporation of India has organized a seminar on Jute Cultivation for the development of the Jute farmers.

The program was organized at Rabidra Satabarshiki Bhawan on Wednesday.

Minister for Industry and Commerce Tapan Chakraborty and Chairman A.K. Chakraborty presided over the program.

Tripura Jute Mill started its journey in the year 1973 with the aim to fix the fair price of Jute produced by the farmers of the state and for an income source to the state’s unemployed youths. Once, the Jute Mill acquired an area of 72 acre. Few parts out of the 72 acre land were given to bypass road, Amtali Police Station, International Fair Ground and NGO. As a result, land acquired by Jute Mill is gradually reducing to zero.

The number of total employees required was 850, but, a total of 2253 employees were recruited. The only association that time was CITU which backed Jute Mill Employees’ Association. The association leaders and Mill management jointly pushed the company gradually towards loss by involving in corruption, nepotism and failing to supply raw materials on due time. The first salary of Jute Mill employees was given to them as per the pay commission’s recommendation. The employees were supposed to be given pay scale and allowance akin to other government employees. But, the government did not put it in action.

One the one hand where farmers have already turned their eyes from Jute cultivation and have got themselves engaged in mixed cultivation. At a moment where there is no availability of raw material, Minister Tapan Chakraborty stated that Jute cultivation is important for the state and is needed to be developed in the coming day for generating employment.

Cultivation of Jute has reached to its extinction and the state government is busy in giving false hopes for the development of jute cultivation in the state.