Replying to questions in the state assembly Bose said six jute mills employing 20,669 workers were closed, out of which only two were expected to open in the near future.
The six closed units were Hastings Jute Mill (6,000), Sura Jute Mill (1,300), Birla Jute Mill (6,000), Gouripur Jute Mill (2,169), Nadia Jute Mill (4,000) and Hooghly Jute Private Limited unit at Burdwan (1,200), Bose said.
Tripartite meetings for two units, namely Birla Jute and Nadia Jute, had been held and it was expected that the mills would open shortly, he said.
Bose said that the reasons for closure were apathy on the part of managements and trade union rivalry.
To another query, he said three tea gardens employing 901 workers have closed.
The minister said that the government was paying allowances to the affected workers.
