Making a brief statement during Zero Hour, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said government was willing to sit with leaders of various political parties to find a long term solution so that issues like storage and availability of jute sacks do not become a regular problem.
On increasing storage facility, he said government was supporting creation of storage facilities through its viability fund and by providing concessions in interests.
He said external commercial borrowing subject to ceiling was being allowed as interest rates were lower.
Mukherjee, however, noted that godowns cannot come up "tomorrow" an the process will take time.
In a bid to protect foodgrain lying in the open, from rains, contingency arrangements are been made, he said adding that jute bag producing units in West Bengal have been impressed upon increasing their production by 25,000 sacks from the present output of 2.50 lakh sacks per month.
"...I hope they (trade unions) won't go on strike," he said drawing protests from Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI).
Mukherjee said it was his personal experience that unions go on strike to put pressure at a time when jute sacks are required for procurement. (MORE)