India can become one of the largest jute exporters: Smriti Irani
Kolkata, May 31: Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday claimed that India has the potential to become one of the largest jute exporters in the diversified section, if the quality of the raw material can be improved.
The minister also urged the jute industry to bolster the centre's initiative in providing certified jute seeds to the farmers that would produce better quality crop.
"When we look at jute, we wonder why our jute industry has not galloped ahead like Bangladesh. One of our biggest challenges has been the output of the raw material which is not fine enough for enhanced diversification," Irani said while addressing the members of the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce here.
The minister pointed out that the agricultural ministry and the textile ministry invited all state governments to ensure that certified seeds are given to the jute farmers through every Krishi Vigyan Kendras (the agricultural extension centres created by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research to provide farm support).
"I would encourage the jute industry to become a participant in that endeavour, so that the productivity and income of the farmer increases and at the same time our crop becomes finer and better for more diversification," she said.
Pointing out that India is the largest jute producing country in the world, she said "we have the potential to become one of the largest jute exporters in the diversified section".
The Union Minister said the Centre is providing support to the partners of the jute industry, who have enhanced the diversification of jute products so that they can be self sufficient and do not have to completely rely on the government's support.
She also highlighted the importance of the newly emerged technical textile sector and hoped the Bengal textile industry that contributes to more than five percent of the overall national textile segment will be a huge participant in the development of this sector.
"The Centre has an apparel package for the first time in the history of the country of up to Rs 6,000 crore. This is the largest ever sanction in the textile industry in this country," she pointed out.
Irani said an outlay of Rs 690 crore has helped set up 21 readymade garment manufacturing (RGM) units in the seven northeastern states at the end of last year under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They have become fully functional.
Referring to the GST refund or 'refund Pakhwada' that would take place from May 31 to June 14 this year, she said a simplified mechanism for the small importers has been put in place, that would enable more people in the MSME sector to get the refund and help increase the ease of doing business.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Centre spent Rs 76.13 lakh on print media ads for RSS centenary, reveals RTI
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Culture allegedly spent Rs 76.13 lakh on print advertisements marking the 100-year celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), according to a Right to Information (RTI) reply.
The information was sought by RTI activist Ajay Basudev Bose, who filed an application seeking details on expenditure incurred by the ministry for advertisements commemorating the RSS centenary.
Bose shared a picture of the reply from the ministry on his official ‘X’ handle.
“It is informed that an amount of Rs 76,13,129 has been spent on advertisement given in various print media by the Ministry of Culture on the occasion of the completion of 100 years of RSS,” the government’s reply stated.
RTI reply shows Min of Culture Govt of India spent a Whopping Rs 76L,13K,129 on Advertisement in Print Media on occasion of 100 yrs of #RSS
— AJAY Basudev Bose (@AjayBos93388306) April 16, 2026
When Everyone knows RSS is Not Registered & Does not Pay any Tax is it justified to spend Tax Payers Money on such Private event??@RSSorg… pic.twitter.com/dW4IUtdNCg
Bose questioned the expenditure in the post X, “when Everyone knows RSS is Not Registered & Does not Pay any Tax is it justified to spend Tax Payers Money on such Private event??”
Reacting to the development, Karnataka’s IT-BT and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge also criticised the spending.
In a post on X, he asked why public money was being used for what he described as a “private ideological project.”
"Modi Sarkar spent Rs 76,13,129 of public money on newspaper advertisements to celebrate 100 years of the RSS. Why is Government spending taxpayers money on an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation to celebrate their centenary?," he added.
Why is public money being used to serve a private ideological project?
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) April 16, 2026
Modi Sarkar spent ₹76,13,129 of public money on newspaper advertisements to celebrate 100 years of the RSS.
Why is Government spending taxpayers money on an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation to… pic.twitter.com/EoZ6Pim3IM
According to reports, the RSS describes itself as a volunteer-based organisation and has stated that it functions as a body of individuals rather than a registered entity.
Founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in 1925, the organisation is marking its centenary year beginning from Vijaydashami in 2025, with the milestone observed on October 2.
