Jute industry irked over govt decision to buy plastic bags

Industry alleges its capacity was ignored and an artificial shortfall of 250,000 bales was created to allow use of HDPE and PP bags

The jute industry is apparently peeved with the decision of the Department of Food & Public Distribution under Union ministry of consumer affairs to buy 250,000 bales (one bale is 180 kg) of plastic bags.

The packaging requirement of food grains for the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) in 2018-19 has been pegged at 1.69 million bales. Of this, the shortfall for jute bags was calculated at 0.25 million bales. After consultations with the industry and on the strength of recommendations by the Jute Commissioner, the textiles ministry had approved the use of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) bags to