WB plea to Centre on Jute Packaging Act

The West Bengal government has renewed its plea to the Centre not to dilute the Jute Packaging Act in the interest of the industry's prospects and hinted at sending an all-party representation to the Union textiles ministry in this regard.

Replying to a debate on budgetary demand for grants for his department, state agriculture minister Kamal Guha informed the assembly that the government had written a letter to the Union textiles ministry recently on the issue.

He said that the matter was being discussed by left front constituents in Delhi, adding that if required, the state government would send an all-party representation to the textiles ministry.

Guha said the state government would also open two agricultural schools in Bankura and Coochbehar districts for imparting knowledge on farming practice to villagers.

Earlier, food processing minister Sailen Sarkar informed the house that the state government was inviting private parties for setting up more multi-purpose cold storages in the state.

He said in the current financial year, the state had received investments worth Rs 105 crore for setting up of 28 food processing units.

Sarkar said West Bengal topped the list of pineapple, litchi and vegetable producers in the country.