5Functions of Board

(1) It shall be the duty of the Board to promote the development of jute and jute products by such measures as it thinks fit.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, the Board may undertake measures to--

(i) evolve an integrated approach to jute cultivation in the matters of formulation of schemes, extension work, implementation and evaluation of schemes aimed at increasing the yield of jute and improving the quality thereon;

(ii) promote production of better quality raw jute;

(iii) enhance productivity of raw jute;

(iv) promote or undertake arrangements for better marketing and stabilisation of the prices of raw jute;

(v) promote standardisation of raw jute and jute products;

(vi) suggest norms of efficiency for jute industry with a view to eliminating waste, obtaining optimum production, improving quality and reducing costs;

(vii) propagate information useful to the growers of raw jute and manufacturers of jute products;

(viii) promote and undertake measures for quality control of raw jute and jute products;

(ix) assist and encourage studies and research for improvement of processing, quality, techniques of grading and packaging of raw jute;

(x) promote or undertake surveys or studies aimed at collection and formulation of statistics regarding raw jute and jute products;

(xi) promote standardisation of jute manufactures;

(xii) promote the development of production of jute manufactures by increasing the efficiency and productivity of the jute industry;

(xiii) sponsor, assist, coordinate, encourage or undertake scientific, technological, economic and marketing research pertaining to the jute sector;

(xiv) maintain and improve existing markets and to develop new markets within the country and outside for jute manufactures and to devise marketing strategies in consonance with the demand for such manufactures in the domestic and international markets;

(xv) sponsor, assist, coordinate or encourage scientific, technological and economic research in the matters related to materials, equipment, methods of production, product development including discovery and development of new materials, equipment and methods and improvements in those already in use in the jute industry;

(xvi) provide and create necessary infrastructural facilities and conditions conducive to the development of diversified jute products by way of assisting the entrepreneurs, artisans, craftsman, designers, manufacturers, exporters, non-Governmental agencies in the following manner, namely:--

(a) transfer of technology from research and development institutions and other organisations in India and abroad;

(b) providing support services to the entrepreneurs for the implementation of their projects including technical guidance and training;

(c) organising entrepreneurial development programmes;

(d) planning and executing market promotion strategies including exhibitions, demonstrations, media campaigns in India and abroad;

(e) providing financial assistance by way of subsidy or seed capital;

(f) providing a forum to the people engaged or interested in diversified jute products for interacting with various national and international agencies, engaged in the jute and jute textile sector;

(xvii) organise workshops, conferences, lectures, seminars, refresher courses and set up study groups and conduct training programmes for the purpose of promotion and development of jute and jute products;

(xviii) undertake research on jute seed to improve quality and to shorten the gestation period of jute crop;

(xix) incorporate measures for sustainable Human Resource Development of the jute sector and to provide necessary funds for the same;

(xx) modernisation of jute sector and technology development;

(xxi) take steps to protect the interests of jute growers and workers and to promote their welfare by improving their livelihood avenues;

(xxii) secure better working conditions and provisions and improvement of amenities and incentives for workers engaged in the jute industry;

(xxiii) register jute growers and manufacturers on optional basis;

(xxiv) collect statistics with regard to jute and jute products for compilation and publication;

(xxv) subscribe to the share capital of or enter into any arrangement (whether by way of partnership, joint venture or any other manner) with any other body corporate for the purpose of promoting the jute sector or for promotion and marketing of jute and jute products in India and abroad.

(3) It shall be the duty of the Board--

(a) to advise the Central Government on all matters relating to the development of raw jute and the jute industry, including import and export of jute and jute products;

(b) to prepare and furnish reports relating to the jute sector as may be required by the Central Government from time to time.