How did the partition of the country in 1947 affect the jute industry?

Answer 1

The partition of the country in 1947 affected the jute industry in the following manner:

Before independence, India had a monopoly in the production of raw jute and jute manufacturing's in the world. The partition of the country inflicted a severe blow to the jute industry, with the result that jute mills remained in India, whereas a major portion of jute producing area went over to Pakistan. Most of the jute mills in India were taken over by the Marwaris businessmen. In East Pakistan after partition in 1947 lacked a Jute Industry but had the finest jute fiber stock. In 1947-48 production of jute was 16-5 lakh bales as against pre-partition output of 65-7 lakh bales. This situation created a crisis in the jute textile industry and it was further worsened, when the Pakistan Government stopped supply of raw jute to India. Thus, efforts were made by the Government of India for the extension of area under jute in the country after independence.

ORPartition of the country in 1947 affected the jute industry as the jute growing areas were in East Pakistan (now in Bangladesh) and jute mills were in India. India has to import raw jute from Bangladesh to run the jute mills. There has been gradual decline in the jute industry due to the following reason:

i). Decline in demand for jute products.

ii). Old and outdated machinery.

iii). High cost of production and stiff international competition from Bangladesh and Brazil.

iv). Emergence of synthetic substitutes.

v) .Non-availability of labour.