Rice mills in the districts of Bankura and Burdwan in West Bengal have been accused of blatantly violating Section 5 of the Jute Packaging Materials Act (JPMA) of 1987 and have been using 50 kg polypropylene sacks for brands such as Double Rose, Mayur and Butterfly.

The jute industry representatives investigated the matter at different packing centres and appealed to the JCO for appropriate action. The HDPE bags used for packing rice are also of inferior quality, they said.

Moreover, there are also reports that the regular supply of paddy from Bihar and Jharkhand, to the districts of Bankura, Burdwan and those near the state border, is being packed in HDPE bags. Indian Jute Mills Association Chairman Sanjay Kajaria has approached Jute Commissioner Binod Kispota to stop the practice.

There are about 1,300 rice mills in West Bengal. For packing rice and paddy, mostly old and re-usable jute bags, purchased in bulk, are used. No fresh orders have been issued for use of jute bags.

The Jute Commissioner is empowered to take action against the rice mills for not using jute bags for packaging under secton 7 to 8 (3) of the Jute Packaging Materials Act.