Tapash Mookherjee, J.

1. The jute used to be known as the “Golden Fibre” at one point of time. The jute industry was a robust industry having huge contributions to the economic growth of the Eastern part of the country, particularly in West Bengal. The major jute growing areas are located in West Bengal; consequently all major jute mills are also located in West Bengal. But the industry has lost its glory to many extents with the passage of time being confronted by several factors. Jute industry is basically a labour intensive industry and it has a huge potential for employment. It has a very good potential for earning foreign exchange by export also. The industry is under the control of Ministry of Textiles, Union of India.

2. Having realized the importance of the jute industry and the problems being faced by the industry, the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India with a long term vision launched a comprehensive plan for the overall development of the Jute Industry as a whole, starting from the research, development, production and quality improvement of the raw jute to modernization and technological up-gradation of the jute industry, under a scheme named as ‘Jute Tec