Question : Mandatory use of Jute in Packaging

(a) whether the Government has recently approved reservation norms for mandatory use of jute in packaging for the Jute Year 2021-22;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether recently the packaging norms make it mandatory for 100 per cent of food grains be compulsorily packed in jute bags;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the quantity/cost of Jute sacking bags procured by the Government for packing foodgrains during the last three years; and

(f) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure complete off-take of the production of the jute sacking bags in order to protect the interest of Jute farmers, workers and persons engaged in the Jute Industry?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES
(SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a) to (d): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in its meeting held on 10.11.2021 has approved minimum percentage as 100% of the total production of food grains and 20% of the total production of sugar for packaging in Jute packaging material manufactured in India from raw jute produced in India during Jute Year 2021-22.

(e): The details of quantity / cost of jute sacking bags procured by the Government for packing food grains during the last three years are as below:


Financial Year Quantity of jute bags (Bales) Cost of jute bags (Rs. in Crore)
2018-19 29,61,688 7,529.44
2019-20 34,75,004 9,664.58
2020-21 25,08,572 7,889.48

(f): To ensure the complete off-take of sacking production of the jute bags in order to protect the interest of jute farmers, workers and person engaged in the industry, the Government announces MSP for raw jute and mesta every year. Also, the Government has imposed Anti-Dumping Duty w.e.f. 05.01.2017 on the import of jute products.
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