Reopen mills, save jute

All the mills are closed at a time when jute marketing season has started they said and demanded immediate government steps to reopen the jute mills.

They also called upon all stakeholders including jute growers to unite to save the golden fibre and the mills based on it.

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The Dainik Purbanchal published from Khulna organised the roundtable on Friday at its office.

Moderated by Dainik Purbanchal Editor Liaquat Ali, the roundtable was addressed by, among others, Khulna Chamber of Ccommerce and Industry President Munir Ahmed, Greater Khulna Development Action Co-ordination Committee leader Haider Gazi Salahuddin Runu, Mohsin Jute Mill Manager Mill Anowarul Momin, prominent labour leader Sarder Motaharuddin, labour leader and Khulna Workers Party General Secretary Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan, prominent jute exporter Fazlur Rahman, NGO executives Kazi Wahiduzzaman and Rafiqul Islam Khokon, social worker Shutapa Bedagya and Chief Reporter of Dainik Purbanchal Amiyo Kanti Pal.

They said the government has turned its back to jute when demand for the environment-friendly fibre is increasing in the world. The government is acting on the advice of World Bank, they claimed.

They demanded removal of all corrupt officials and CBA leades from Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) and its mills and suggested formation of 'monitoring cell' to ensure transparency in running the mills.

They urged the government to explore the possibility of diversified use of jute and promote handicrafts and other products made of jute.

Editor of The Daily Tribune, Begum Ferdusi, Khulna Press Club President Shaikh Abu Hasan, Prof Anowarul Kadir, former lawmaker Enayet Ali and shrimp exporter Kazi Belayet Hossain were also present, among others, at the roundtable.