The New Nation - Internet Edition

A Correspondent Magura

Dues of Tk above 4 crore of the local jute traders to 12 jute mills created a serious setback and financial crisis all over the jute markets.

As a result, esteemed jute traders are reluctant to purchase jute from the farmers and mainly middlemen are controlling the local jute markets.

On the other hand, local jute growers in 4 upazilas of the district are being deprived of fair prices and also being compelled to sell jute below production cost

According to sources, In 2002 the jute-purchasing centre of Adamjee Jute Mills (closed in 2003) here brought 2,500 tons of jute worth Tk 3 crore from the local traders. During the last five ears, BJMC paid Tk 2.5 crore of the total dues and Tk 50 lakh is yet to be paid.

Besides, this, 11 others Jute Mills-Latif Bawani, Bangladesh Jute Mills, Gul Ahmed Jute Mills, Karim Jute Mills, Eastern Jute Mills, Platinum Jute Mills, UMC Jute Mills Peoples Jute Mills, Creasant Jute Mills, Dawlatpur Jute Mills, Alim Jute Mills have brought Jute Tk 20 crore to 25 crore during the period of which Tk 4.12 crore still remains outstanding.

Of the total outstanding, Lafif Bawani Jute Mills owe Tk 1 crore 75 lakh, Bangladesh Jute Mills owe Tk 18 lakh, Gul Ahmed Jute Mills owe Tk 40 lakh, Karim Jute Mills owe Tk 35 lakh, astern Jute Mills owe Tk 45 lakh, UMC owe Tk 12 lakh, Peoples Jute Mills owe Tk 15 lakh, Creasant owe Tk 2 lakh, Dawlatpur owe Tk 65 lakh, Alim Jute Mills owe Tk 30 lakh and Amin Jute Mills owe Tk 4 lakh to the traders.

Most of the jute traders are stated to be in a very tight position financial because of non payment of their dues.

Meanwhile, this is alleged that taking advantage of the situation the middlemen now are controlling the trade and facing the growers to sell jute to them at throwaway prices.

In the local markets, now each maund jute is being sold between Tk 700 and 800 only instead of previous rate of Tk 1000 to Tk 1100.

Narrating the woes of the local jute traders, Fazlur Rahman, himself a jute merchant, said that non-payment of their dues by the twelve jute mills has placed them in a very awkward position.

In order to end the financial crisis they urged the authorities concerned to pay their dues immediately.