Recently the cabinet has approved the reservation rules for jute packaging material.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved reservation rules for compulsory use of jute in packaging this year. It stipulated that 100% food grains and 20% sugar should be compulsorily packed in jute bags.
This action has been taken under The Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987.
This Act provides for the compulsory use of jute packaging material in the supply and distribution of certain goods. This provision is in the interest of production of raw jute and jute packaging material etc.
Significance
- This will also help in environmental protection, as jute is a natural, biodegradable, renewable and reusable fiber.
- The reservation rules in the present proposal will protect the interests of domestic production of raw jute and jute packaging material in India.
- These ensure a guaranteed market for the produce of 40 lakh jute farmers.
Various initiatives taken by the Government to promote the Jute Industry:
- Jute-Improved Cultivation and Advanced Rating Exercise to Improve Productivity and Quality of Raw Jute.
- Jute Smart (SMART) is an e-government initiative to promote transparency in the jute sector.
- Jute is included in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime.
About Jute:
- India is the largest producer of jute in the world.
- Jute requires alluvial soil and heavy rainfall and temperature of 20 to 40 degree Celsius.
- The hot and highly humid climate is suitable for the cultivation of jute during the monsoon season.
Source – PIB
