(a) whether the Government have recently decided to give 10% external market assistance scheme (EMA) on hydrocarbon free and environment friendly jute bags;
(b) if so, the specialities of such bags on which external market assistance is to be given; and
(c) the extent to which the export of such bags to be made during the current and the next three years?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI GINGEE N. RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) Yes, Sir. Jute Manufactures Development Council has been providing 10% external market assistance (EMA) on FOB value of export of hydrocarbon free jute bags with effect from 14.09.1998.
(b) The bags on which the external market assistance scheme is given are made conforming to international specifications. These bags are manufactured without using mineral oil and are suitable for packaging of food materials.
(c) Estimates are not available at present. It is however expected that the demand for these bag will increase in the international market.