To help the jute industry, the Government on Thursday decided to extend the norms for mandatory packaging of 100 per cent food grains and 20 per cent sugar in diversified jute bags.The decision on the extension of norms for mandatory packaging in jute materials was taken at the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved that 100 per cent of the foodgrains and 20 per cent of the sugar shall be mandatorily packed in diversified jute bags," said an official release.Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, while briefing media after the Cabinet meeting, said the CCEA decision will benefit farmers and workers located in the eastern and north-eastern regions of the country, particularly in West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura.Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani said that the decision will benefit 3.7 lakh workers and 40 lakh farmers, especially in West Bengal.
"Government purchases over Rs 7,500 crore worth jute bags to sustain core demand of the sector. Decision to provide extension for mandatory package in Jute material will further boost demand for jute and support livelihood of Jute workers," Irani said in a tweet.The decision also mandates that initially 10 per cent of the indents of jute bags for packing food grains would be placed through a reverse auction on the Gem portal, the release said.
