Question : Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association

(a) whether the Government is working towards promoting the use of indigenous raw material, Jute for the production of sanitary napkins instead of imported wood pulp, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government believes that the use of Jute instead of imported wood pulp would aid farmers and produce jobs for women, thus helping to boost the Indian economy, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether most sanitary napkins available in the market are derived out of wood pulp which is imported from the China or the United States, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Ministry of Textiles earlier sponsored a project of the Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association (IJIRA) to develop jute-based, low-cost sanitary napkins, if so, the facts thereof;

(e) whether the Central Government envisaged a pilot project for jute sanitary napkins, if so, the facts thereof; and

(f) whether the project will assist jute farmers in getting remunerative price and will enhance women employment generation and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (f): Government of India through National Jute board (NJB) has given two projects to IIT Kharagpur and IJIRA towards the use of jute as raw material for the production of sanitary napkin as substitution of imported wood pulp. Sanitary napkins are classified as medical product and the companies manufacturing it are required to adhere to the standard IS 5405 (1980). The details of imports of wood pulp from China and USA is at Annexure-A. Increased use of jute pulp in sanitary napkins will increase income of jute farmers and woman engaged in jute sector by increasing their employability which will ultimately boost the Indian economy.