CCEA nods for mandatory use of jute in packaging 90 percent of foodgrains, 20 percent sugar production

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday approved mandatory packaging of 90 percent of the foodgrains production and 20 percent of the sugar production in jute packaging material for the jute year 2013-14m, in pursuance of the Jute Packaging Material Act

The CCEA has approved this with a few exceptions, including that the sugar packed for export, but which could not be exported may be exempted from the operation of the Order on the basis of an assessment by and request of the Department of Food and Public Distribution.

Sugar fortified with Vitamins, packaging for export of the commodities, small consumer packs of 25 kgs and below, and bulk packaging of more than 100 kgs, will be out of the purview of the reservation

In case of any shortage or disruption in supply of jute packaging material, the Ministry of Textiles will, in consultation with user ministries concerned, relax these provisions further, up to a maximum of 30 percent of the production of foodgrains over and above the provisions mentioned above.

The approval will provide relief to 3.7 lakh workers employed in jute mills and ancillary units as well as support the livelihood of around 40 lakh farm families. Besides, it will help protect the environment, as jute is a natural, biodegradable and reusable fibre.

Under the Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987, the Government is required to consider and provide for the compulsory use of jute packaging material in the supply and distribution of certain commodities in the interest of production of raw jute, and jute packaging material and of persons engaged in the production thereof and for matters connected therewith.