The Union Government of India, through the jute Manufacturers Development Council (JMDC) will grant more than Rs 20 lakh under the Textile Centre Infrastructure Development Scheme for setting up a jute weaving park at Anakaputhur, a suburban area of Chennai. The govt. is keen to position jute as an all-purpose fibre. The park, of an area of 2 acres, is likely to provide employment for more than 1,000 people and will house around 30 worksheds. The construction is expected to be completed by April 2006. “The thrust would be on producing jute sarees blended with other natural fibres such as silk and cotton. The raw material would be sourced from Kolkata,” according to an officer from the National Centre for jute Diversification (NCJD).
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| Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of inaugurating a jute fair organised by JMDC, A Elangovan, secretary, department of Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi, said that jute bags and other diversified products should be given preference as they are economical and eco-friendly. Various institutions like NCJD’s jute service centres at Chennai and Coimbatore and South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) would provide technical support to entrepreneurs in the development of jute diversified products. There are 78 major composite jute mills in the country, of which 61 are in West Bengal, seven in Andhra Pradesh, three each in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and one each in Assam, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura. Besides, there 10 major Export Oriented Units (EOUs) in the sector. 
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