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Packaging of foodgrain in jute bags made mandatory
News:
The Centre has mandated the packaging of 100% of food grain and 20% of sugar in jute bags for 2018-19.
Important Facts:
- The order follows the Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act (JPM), which was enacted in 1987 to protect the jute sector from the plastic packaging segment.
- This is the first time since 2012-13 that 100% reservation had been announced for foodgrain. It was 90% last year.
- In case of sugar, the government has stipulated that diversified jute bags be used as traditional bags are not being preferred by the user-sector due to contaminants like jute fibre, batching oil moisture pick-up and sugar spillage.
- West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh are the two largest jute goods producers, Punjab is the largest procuring State.
- Gunny bags now account for about 63% of raw jute consumption.
- Initially there was reservation for sugar, cement, fertiliser and food grain packaging over time but certain sectors have been taken out of the ambit due seepage issue through materials.
