Four jute mills nemely Delta, Hanuman, Wellington and Budge Budge in the state have stopped operations for shortage of raw jute while 25 more are at the brink of closure. Despite fresh government orders and the industry's commitment to supply 7.3 lakh bales equivalent of B Twill or jute sacks between April and June this year to the state food procurement agencies and the Food Corporation of India, millers fear that the industry will fall in keeping its commitment. The shortage of raw jute is to the extent of 5-7 lakh bales but the crisis has been aggravated with the Jute Commissioner's (JC) office mismanaging supplies and failing to control prices. Raw jute prices are at the level of (ξ)8,000 per quintal at present. Further, the JC's recent raw jute stock holding order for 72 jute mills have left the jute millers in a quandary since the specified stock limit for each of the 72 jute mills doesn't exceed more than a month's stock, according to the Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA).
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