Question : Packaging of Foodgrains

(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme for providing certified and good quality jute seeds to farmers in the current year, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to prepare any draft to overcome the problem of packaging of food grains due to unexpected closure of jute mills during lockdown and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the increase in production capacity of essential cover all (PPE Kits) for the medical personnel engaged in treatment of COVID-19 cases across the country along with the total production of the same so far; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): National Jute Board (NJB) has been implementing Jute –ICARE (Jute: Improved Cultivation And Advanced Retting Exercise) for improvement in production and quality of raw jute under which 604 MT of certified jute seeds have been distributed to the farmers during the 2020 crop year. Jute Corporation of India (JCI) has signed an MoU with National Seeds Corporation for distribution of 1000 MT of certified jute seeds during the upcoming crop year.

(b): The Government of India has provided mandatory packaging of 100% of foodgrains and 20% of sugar in jute bags under the Jute Packaging and Materials (Compulsory use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987. In case, jute mills are not able to supply the indented quantity of jute bags, Government has provided a provision of maximum 30% of dilution against the total requirement. The Government exercises the dilution powers in case of exigency to avoid short supply of jute bags for packaging of foodgrains.

(c) & (d): There was no manufacturing of PPE Coveralls in India prior to January, 2020. As per estimates based on the inputs provided by industry, the country has manufactured nearly 6 Crore Body Coveralls during April, 2020 to December, 2020. Nearly 1100 manufacturers had registered for PPE Body Coveralls manufacturing. The production capacity in the country achieved for PPE Body Coveralls is 4.5 lakh per day. As per information provided by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (as on 12.02.2021), the Government has procured approximately 1.56 crore PPE Body Coveralls for use of health professionals in Government Hospitals. In addition State government agencies, private hospitals and individuals have also procured PPE Coveralls extensively.

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