Jute industry protests move on gunny bags

The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has been accused of issuing suo moto orders for packing paddy and coarse grains in 'used gunny bags' by the jute industry in 'flagrant' violation of an earlier order given by the ministry of consumer affairs one-and-a-half years ago.

The DFPD recently issued orders to state governments and state agencies, including the Food Corporation of India (FCI), to pack paddy and coarse grains in 'used gunny bags', fomenting strong protests from the jute industry.

As an immediate step, the jute industry has decided to take up the matter at the highest levels of the consumer affairs ministry, pointing out that the earlier order to not pack commodities in used gunny bags is still valid. The industry will also raise the issue of not being intimated about the DFPD's latest move.

Only a month ago, the jute industry had strongly protested against the move by the Punjab and Haryana governments to use second-hand jute bags for packing food grains. Following the protest, the concerned authorities of both the states were forced to suspend the move.

The earlier order restricting the use of 'used gunny bags' was issued by the former under secretary, Indrani Gupta, on February 15, 2006.

The order was issued taking into account the representations from state governments, procurement agencies and the industry demanding a ban on 'used gunny bags' for packing paddy and coarse grains. The order was issued after holding discussions with all concerned.

Following the new decision, the industry has sent a note of protest against the DFPD's move.

According to the industry, the government has called for packing paddy and coarse grains 'in new and used gunny bags in a 50:50 ratio, with the officers of the respective agencies responsible for checking the quality of the used materials'.

The government order on used gunny bags specifies that it should be free from any affects of mildew/fungus, cuts, holes or tears and also fading so that the grains remain intact.

In its letter, the industry has asked the "central government to indicate that only new and unused jute packaging materials shall be used by the producer" as per the Section 8 of the Jute Packaging Materials Act, 1987.

The industry, however, feels that it is virtually impossible to conduct stringent inspection of each gunny bag as per the government specifications. It has urged the government to find out ways to make inspections more foolproof, thereby preventing the wastage of food grains and contamination that could lead to health hazards.