Question : Mandatory Consumption of Jute Bags

(a) the present provisions for mandatory use of Jute bags for packaging foodgrains and sugar;

(b) whether the Government proposes to change provisions of this mandatory packaging of foodgrains and sugar in jute bags and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the existing production of jute in the country is sufficient to meet the requirements for packaging bags;

(d) if not, the steps taken by the Government to increase jute production to meet the demand;

(e) whether the Government is promoting use of jute over plastic; and

(f) if so, the measures being taken for the purpose?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): With a view to protect the interests of persons engaged in production of jute, the Government has enacted The Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packaging Commodities) Act, 1987 (JPM Act). As per the notification dated 14.1.2016 issued under the JPM Act, a minimum of 90% of food grains and a minimum of 20% of sugar produced in the country should mandatorily be packed in jute bags.

(b): No, Madam.

(c): Yes, Madam.

(d): With a view to further promote jute production in the country, the Government has taken several initiatives during the recent years, viz. Jute-ICARE (Jute Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise) to improve increase in yield and improvement in quality of fibres; Jute Development Programme under the National Food Security Mission- Commercial Crops (NFSM-CC) for enhancing the production and productivity of Jute, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to support jute development programme by States; Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to extend the coverage of irrigation in jute farms etc.

(e) & (f): Apart from Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packaging Commodities) Act, 1987 (JPM Act) which has been enacted to protect the interests of jute growers and jute industry, in order to encourage the promotion of eco-friendly jute and jute products vis a vis substitute materials, several schemes are being implemented by the National Jute Board for modernization and diversification of the jute industry.

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